Fuse 8 n' Katehttp://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/
Mon, 01 Jun 2020 03:24:10 +0000Mon, 01 Jun 2020 03:24:10 +000060enAll rights reservedfeeds@soundcloud.com (SoundCloud Feeds)Two sisters, one in L.A. and one in NYC, both move to the Chicago area and start a podcast. The premise? Picture books and are they really that great? Join Kate and Fuse 8 (Betsy Bird) as they track down a picture book "classic" each episode and try to determine if it deserves to remain in the canon of children's literature.
Profile image by Andrea TsurumiTwo sisters, one in L.A. and one in NYC, both mov…Fuse 8 n' Katefusenumber8@gmail.comBetsy Bird and Kate Ramseynohttp://i1.sndcdn.com/avatars-000408598632-k964iw-original.jpgFuse 8 n' Katehttp://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/
tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/831974500Episode 138 - A Fish Out of WaterMon, 01 Jun 2020 03:24:10 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-138-a-fish-out-of-water
00:30:24Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoFor whatever reason, Kate and Betsy spoke for a whopping 45 minutes about today's book. Somehow, Kate (who is our editor on all this) cut it down to mere 28 minutes, which is a feat worth remarking. The sisters tackle whether or not "Helen Palmer" was or was not Dr. Seuss (the answer is far more complicated than you might think). They delve into what kind of reputation Mr. Carp must have to be on the watch list of both the police and the firemen. And now they have to research when fluoride entered the drinking water and when chlorine entered the public pools. It's important!
Show Notes:
- As we now know, in its original incarnation, this story began its life as Gustav the Goldfish by Dr. Seuss (originally appearing in Redbook magazine in June 1950). It only became A Fish Out of Water when Seuss's wife Helen adapted it to the easy book format.
- Our recent episode about The Cow That Sneezed caused our listener Christine to write in, "Listening to this episode reminded me of Stand Back," Said the Elephant, “I’m Going to Sneeze!” Think I’ll go read it." Here is the link: http://readingtokids.org/Books/BookView.php?pag=5&bookID=00001169
- And here's the Ninja Warrior squirrel video that Kate and Betsy were both obsessed with this week: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFZFjoX2cGg
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/06/01/fuse-8-n-kate-a-fish-out-of-water-by-helen-palmer-ill-p-d-eastmanFor whatever reason, Kate and Betsy spoke for a w…For whatever reason, Kate and Betsy spoke for a whopping 45 minutes about today's book. Somehow, Kate (who is our editor on all this) cut it down to mere 28 minutes, which is a feat worth remarking. The sisters tackle whether or not "Helen Palmer" was or was not Dr. Seuss (the answer is far more complicated than you might think). They delve into what kind of reputation Mr. Carp must have to be on the watch list of both the police and the firemen. And now they have to research when fluoride entered the drinking water and when chlorine entered the public pools. It's important!
Show Notes:
- As we now know, in its original incarnation, this story began its life as Gustav the Goldfish by Dr. Seuss (originally appearing in Redbook magazine in June 1950). It only became A Fish Out of Water when Seuss's wife Helen adapted it to the easy book format.
- Our recent episode about The Cow That Sneezed caused our listener Christine to write in, "Listening to this episode reminded me of Stand Back," Said the Elephant, “I’m Going to Sneeze!” Think I’ll go read it." Here is the link: http://readingtokids.org/Books/BookView.php?pag=5&bookID=00001169
- And here's the Ninja Warrior squirrel video that Kate and Betsy were both obsessed with this week: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFZFjoX2cGg
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/06/01/fuse-8-n-kate-a-fish-out-of-water-by-helen-palmer-ill-p-d-eastmantag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/827437213Episode 137 - The Day the Cow SneezedMon, 25 May 2020 04:24:31 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-137-the-day-the-cow-sneezed
00:30:53Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoKate and Betsy haven't done a cult classic picture book in a while. Really, the ultimate compliment any book can receive from its fans is that their love allows it to see life once more, decades after publication. This was one of the rare titles from the 1950s republished by the publisher Enchanted Lion. Betsy has always been a big fan of this book, but as we have learned time and time again, just because she likes something, that is NO indication that Kate will as well.
Show Notes:
Here is the link to the James Flora archives in the Kerlan Collection, should you wish to see them firsthand: https://archives.lib.umn.edu/repositories/4/resources/5433
Curious about Flora's album cover art? You can see a whole slew of it here: https://www.jimflora.com/galleries/flora-classic-album-covers/
And if, by any chance you're interested in seeing Betsy's library's community cookbook, you can find the link here: https://inkie.pressbooks.pub/cozyevanstoncookbook/
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/05/25/fuse-8-n-kate-the-day-the-cow-sneezed-by-james-flora/Kate and Betsy haven't done a cult classic pictur…Kate and Betsy haven't done a cult classic picture book in a while. Really, the ultimate compliment any book can receive from its fans is that their love allows it to see life once more, decades after publication. This was one of the rare titles from the 1950s republished by the publisher Enchanted Lion. Betsy has always been a big fan of this book, but as we have learned time and time again, just because she likes something, that is NO indication that Kate will as well.
Show Notes:
Here is the link to the James Flora archives in the Kerlan Collection, should you wish to see them firsthand: https://archives.lib.umn.edu/repositories/4/resources/5433
Curious about Flora's album cover art? You can see a whole slew of it here: https://www.jimflora.com/galleries/flora-classic-album-covers/
And if, by any chance you're interested in seeing Betsy's library's community cookbook, you can find the link here: https://inkie.pressbooks.pub/cozyevanstoncookbook/
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/05/25/fuse-8-n-kate-the-day-the-cow-sneezed-by-james-flora/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/822734869Episode 136 - JumanjiMon, 18 May 2020 03:41:50 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-136-jumanji
00:30:02Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoToday's 1981 classic turned out to be a surprise to Kate. She, like many people in America, had no idea that Jumanji was a picture book before it was a movie (or two, or three). Thanks to her read, a lot of questions about this book were cleared up. For example, there is the fact that the parents must be going to a matinee (which explains why the kids eat dinner after their return later). And did you know that the two kids at the end of this book are the ones in the sequel Zathura? But here's the crazy thing. Kate actually managed to find a continuity error in the art. Don't believe us? Check it out.
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/05/18/fuse-8-n-kate-jumanji-by-chris-van-allsburg/Today's 1981 classic turned out to be a surprise …Today's 1981 classic turned out to be a surprise to Kate. She, like many people in America, had no idea that Jumanji was a picture book before it was a movie (or two, or three). Thanks to her read, a lot of questions about this book were cleared up. For example, there is the fact that the parents must be going to a matinee (which explains why the kids eat dinner after their return later). And did you know that the two kids at the end of this book are the ones in the sequel Zathura? But here's the crazy thing. Kate actually managed to find a continuity error in the art. Don't believe us? Check it out.
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/05/18/fuse-8-n-kate-jumanji-by-chris-van-allsburg/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/817939339Episode 135 - Mirandy and Brother WindMon, 11 May 2020 03:37:55 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-135-mirandy-and-brother-wind
00:30:11Betsy Bird and Kate Ramseyno"I'm giving myself extra points for doing this springy book in spring . . . which I did not realize until this moment. Patting on the backy of me!" Prior to today's episode the only Jerry Pinkney title Betsy and Kate had done on the podcast was Sam and the Tigers (as part of their Little Black Sambo round-up). As for Ms. Patricia McKissack, they'd never even done a single one of her books to date. Consider this a wrong now righted. This episode taught us about how folks change picture books to make them readable as ebooks. As for the plot of the story, no one ever talks about the book's traumatized chickens or the fact that you never get to see the cake Mirandy wins. Get ready for an extra deep dive into a book that is still a favorite of teachers nationwide.
Show Notes:
Initially the cakewalk was created to mock white slaveholders to their faces. They would judge the first cakewalks and have no idea the slaves were mocking them. There's an interesting article about it here at Face2Face Africa: https://face2faceafrica.com/article/how-the-popular-cakewalk-dance-was-actually-a-mockery-of-white-slave-masters-in-the-1800s
Want to play Scattergories with your own distant family for a virtual game night? Here is the site Kate found. We can attest that we tried this after we recorded this podcast and it worked very well! https://swellgarfo.com/scattergories/
If you would like to read our mother's poem Geomagnetic Reversal and My Mother’s Ethnoid Bone you'll locate it as the fourth link on this page. https://www.escapeintolife.com/poetry/mothers-day-2020-mothers-moleskine/
For the complete show notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/05/11/fuse-8-n-kate-mirandy-and-brother-wind-by-patricia-mckissack-and-jerry-pinkney/"I'm giving myself extra points for doing this sp…"I'm giving myself extra points for doing this springy book in spring . . . which I did not realize until this moment. Patting on the backy of me!" Prior to today's episode the only Jerry Pinkney title Betsy and Kate had done on the podcast was Sam and the Tigers (as part of their Little Black Sambo round-up). As for Ms. Patricia McKissack, they'd never even done a single one of her books to date. Consider this a wrong now righted. This episode taught us about how folks change picture books to make them readable as ebooks. As for the plot of the story, no one ever talks about the book's traumatized chickens or the fact that you never get to see the cake Mirandy wins. Get ready for an extra deep dive into a book that is still a favorite of teachers nationwide.
Show Notes:
Initially the cakewalk was created to mock white slaveholders to their faces. They would judge the first cakewalks and have no idea the slaves were mocking them. There's an interesting article about it here at Face2Face Africa: https://face2faceafrica.com/article/how-the-popular-cakewalk-dance-was-actually-a-mockery-of-white-slave-masters-in-the-1800s
Want to play Scattergories with your own distant family for a virtual game night? Here is the site Kate found. We can attest that we tried this after we recorded this podcast and it worked very well! https://swellgarfo.com/scattergories/
If you would like to read our mother's poem Geomagnetic Reversal and My Mother’s Ethnoid Bone you'll locate it as the fourth link on this page. https://www.escapeintolife.com/poetry/mothers-day-2020-mothers-moleskine/
For the complete show notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/05/11/fuse-8-n-kate-mirandy-and-brother-wind-by-patricia-mckissack-and-jerry-pinkney/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/813095110Episode 134 - A Time to KeepMon, 04 May 2020 04:11:16 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-134-a-time-to-keep
00:30:15Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoBecause it was recently Betsy's birthday, she got to choose a book that was her favorite when she was growing up. And let us say this about Tasha Tudor. The Queen of England herself is second only to Tasha Tudor in terms of corgi love. Tasha was the original corgi lover. The sisters spend a great deal of time trying to explain some of the oddities of the book by saying, "It's New England!" Like it helps or something. The best way to put it is that this book is 70s/1870s.
Show Notes:
If you ever care to show up at the Tasha Tudor website, it's a real class act: https://www.tashatudorandfamily.com/
Is Betsy the only one who makes this association when she sees a monk marionette? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GK19zONpd04
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/05/04/fuse-8-n-kate-a-time-to-keep-by-tasha-tudor/Because it was recently Betsy's birthday, she got…Because it was recently Betsy's birthday, she got to choose a book that was her favorite when she was growing up. And let us say this about Tasha Tudor. The Queen of England herself is second only to Tasha Tudor in terms of corgi love. Tasha was the original corgi lover. The sisters spend a great deal of time trying to explain some of the oddities of the book by saying, "It's New England!" Like it helps or something. The best way to put it is that this book is 70s/1870s.
Show Notes:
If you ever care to show up at the Tasha Tudor website, it's a real class act: https://www.tashatudorandfamily.com/
Is Betsy the only one who makes this association when she sees a monk marionette? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GK19zONpd04
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/05/04/fuse-8-n-kate-a-time-to-keep-by-tasha-tudor/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/802752373Episode 133 - StellalunaMon, 20 Apr 2020 04:14:33 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-133-stellaluna
00:31:11Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoSeems to us that bats are shouldering a great deal of the blame for our current COVID-19 crisis. Considering the fact that their P.R. wasn't all that great to begin with(Batman aside), Betsy decided this week's episode would combat this problem with the most famous bat-related picture book in America. It doesn't hurt matters any that this entire episode is pretty much just an excuse for her to post cute videos of baby fruit bats in the Show Notes.
Show Notes:
Betsy mentions that her falcons are currently nesting on her library building right now. Here they are on the live cam. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hOZ0BMx12Y
Care to be pandered to? Here's the video of the juvenile fruit bat being petted:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVz8rvIl_vY
And here is a video of a baby fruit bat eating a banana: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaPXhYaFReY\u0026t=28s
The book came in at #71 on the Top 100 Picture Books Poll. http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/05/21/top-100-picture-books-71-stellaluna-by-janell-cannon/
For the rest of the Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/04/20/fuse-8-n-kate-stellaluna-by-janell-cannon/Seems to us that bats are shouldering a great dea…Seems to us that bats are shouldering a great deal of the blame for our current COVID-19 crisis. Considering the fact that their P.R. wasn't all that great to begin with(Batman aside), Betsy decided this week's episode would combat this problem with the most famous bat-related picture book in America. It doesn't hurt matters any that this entire episode is pretty much just an excuse for her to post cute videos of baby fruit bats in the Show Notes.
Show Notes:
Betsy mentions that her falcons are currently nesting on her library building right now. Here they are on the live cam. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hOZ0BMx12Y
Care to be pandered to? Here's the video of the juvenile fruit bat being petted:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVz8rvIl_vY
And here is a video of a baby fruit bat eating a banana: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaPXhYaFReY\u0026t=28s
The book came in at #71 on the Top 100 Picture Books Poll. http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/05/21/top-100-picture-books-71-stellaluna-by-janell-cannon/
For the rest of the Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/04/20/fuse-8-n-kate-stellaluna-by-janell-cannon/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/797243344Episode 132 - One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue FishMon, 13 Apr 2020 04:22:54 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-132-one-fish-two-fish-red-fish-blue-fish
00:30:34Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoTrue Fact: The longest book written in the English language is the easy book One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish by Dr. Seuss.
Other True Fact: That first fact is untrue, but it's certainly what Kate believed in her heart when she finished reading that book during this recording. While many people remember all too well the title of today's book, its plot (such as it is) remains, for many, a mystery. Kate certainly didn't know what to expect and, to be fair, how could she have? Can anyone truly predict Clark or the Ying or Ned? Sweet sweet Ned? We think not.
Show Notes:
One image in this book was once parodied when Betsy made a post challenging artists to Re-Seussify Seuss. Which is to say, re-illustrate a Dr. Seuss work in the style of another illustrator. And Nathan Hale (of Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales) decided to take on "yellow teeth guy" (as Kate calls him) in the style of Stephen Gammell. You know. The fellow who illustrated Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. And the result is beautiful. Go here and scroll to the bottom: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/03/01/re-seussification-project-the-results/
Here is a video of famous novelists Kevin O'Leary, Ami McKay, and Erin Morgenstern reading this book: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0waeG_x2eow
Here is the article we were told about in this episode (in reference to Jingle Dancer by Cynthia Leitich Smith)called, "Created during the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic, Jingle Dresses are once again offering inspiration, healing" - https://nativenewsonline.net/entertainment/created-during-the-1918-spanish-flu-pandemic-jingle-dresses-are-once-again-offering-inspiration-healing/
For more Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/04/13/fuse-8-n-kate-one-fish-two-fish-red-fish-blue-fish-by-dr-seuss/True Fact: The longest book written in the Englis…True Fact: The longest book written in the English language is the easy book One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish by Dr. Seuss.
Other True Fact: That first fact is untrue, but it's certainly what Kate believed in her heart when she finished reading that book during this recording. While many people remember all too well the title of today's book, its plot (such as it is) remains, for many, a mystery. Kate certainly didn't know what to expect and, to be fair, how could she have? Can anyone truly predict Clark or the Ying or Ned? Sweet sweet Ned? We think not.
Show Notes:
One image in this book was once parodied when Betsy made a post challenging artists to Re-Seussify Seuss. Which is to say, re-illustrate a Dr. Seuss work in the style of another illustrator. And Nathan Hale (of Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales) decided to take on "yellow teeth guy" (as Kate calls him) in the style of Stephen Gammell. You know. The fellow who illustrated Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. And the result is beautiful. Go here and scroll to the bottom: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/03/01/re-seussification-project-the-results/
Here is a video of famous novelists Kevin O'Leary, Ami McKay, and Erin Morgenstern reading this book: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0waeG_x2eow
Here is the article we were told about in this episode (in reference to Jingle Dancer by Cynthia Leitich Smith)called, "Created during the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic, Jingle Dresses are once again offering inspiration, healing" - https://nativenewsonline.net/entertainment/created-during-the-1918-spanish-flu-pandemic-jingle-dresses-are-once-again-offering-inspiration-healing/
For more Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/04/13/fuse-8-n-kate-one-fish-two-fish-red-fish-blue-fish-by-dr-seuss/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/791886913Episode 131 - Oliver Button is a SissyMon, 06 Apr 2020 04:22:41 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-131-oliver-button-is-a-sissy
00:30:48Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoIn honor of Tomie dePaola, who left us last week, Betsy wanted to do one of his possible classics. The show had already done Strega Nona, but one other book might qualify for "classic" status. Trouble was, all the libraries are closed and Betsy couldn't get a physical copy of this book. Happily, Overdrive offered this ebook for borrowing. The title totally threw Kate off, and Betsy couched it by saying that it is considered one of the original GLBTQIA+ books created for kids in America. It is by NO means as brave as Heather Has Two Mommies, but it has its place in the culture.
Show Notes:
If you're interested in the GLBTQ chapter I refer to in this podcast, it's in the book Wild Things: Acts of Mischief in Children's Literature: http://wildthings.blaine.org/?page_id=2
And once again, ladies and gentlemen, The Gay Men's Chorus of Washington D.C. performing this book themselves!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuBA86Ohg94
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/04/06/fuse-8-n-kate-oliver-button-is-a-sissy-by-tomie-depaola/In honor of Tomie dePaola, who left us last week,…In honor of Tomie dePaola, who left us last week, Betsy wanted to do one of his possible classics. The show had already done Strega Nona, but one other book might qualify for "classic" status. Trouble was, all the libraries are closed and Betsy couldn't get a physical copy of this book. Happily, Overdrive offered this ebook for borrowing. The title totally threw Kate off, and Betsy couched it by saying that it is considered one of the original GLBTQIA+ books created for kids in America. It is by NO means as brave as Heather Has Two Mommies, but it has its place in the culture.
Show Notes:
If you're interested in the GLBTQ chapter I refer to in this podcast, it's in the book Wild Things: Acts of Mischief in Children's Literature: http://wildthings.blaine.org/?page_id=2
And once again, ladies and gentlemen, The Gay Men's Chorus of Washington D.C. performing this book themselves!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuBA86Ohg94
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/04/06/fuse-8-n-kate-oliver-button-is-a-sissy-by-tomie-depaola/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/786521317Episode 130 - Tell Me Again About the Night I Was BornMon, 30 Mar 2020 04:31:49 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-130-tell-me-again-about-the-night-i-was-born
00:28:39Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoFor WEEKS Kate has been bugging Betsy to find her a celebrity picture book. The catch was that Betsy was insisting that the book be considered a "classic". So she asked the listeners what the most classicky classic was and they managed to come up with today's book. Published in 1996 this definitely falls within the 20 year rule (a.k.a. don't read anything that's younger .... in theory) so they went for it. But Betsy had no idea Kate would take issue with tons of illustrations that she finds degrading to women. She has a point. This book, you will find, has not aged as well as you may hope.
Show Notes:
Tis true! This is the second Laura Cornell book on this podcast. Take a listen to the Heather Has Two Mommies episode, because Ms. Cornell illustrated it for the reissue: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/06/27/new-fuse-8-n-kate-episode-heather-has-two-mommies/
This is the article in Education and Career News with Ms. Curtis which explains why she started writing picture books in the first place: https://www.educationandcareernews.com/early-childhood-education/why-jamie-lee-curtis-is-passionate-about-childrens-literacy/
As listener Erica told us "This story from Minnesota Public Radio is about how jingle dancers have been dancing and praying for healing during the quarantines. The story includes some history of the jingle dance and some links to videos.": https://www.mprnews.org/story/2020/03/17/every-step-you-take-is-prayer-as-coronavirus-spreads-women-lead-virtual-dance-for-healing
And in case you missed it, here was Betsy's discussion with listener Carolyn Jeziorski, our official Expert Disaster Librarian: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/03/24/report-from-china-from-an-international-school-librarian-making-sense-of-school-closures/
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/03/30/fuse-8-n-kate-tell-me-again-about-the-night-i-was-born-by-jamie-lee-curtis-ill-laura-cornell/For WEEKS Kate has been bugging Betsy to find her…For WEEKS Kate has been bugging Betsy to find her a celebrity picture book. The catch was that Betsy was insisting that the book be considered a "classic". So she asked the listeners what the most classicky classic was and they managed to come up with today's book. Published in 1996 this definitely falls within the 20 year rule (a.k.a. don't read anything that's younger .... in theory) so they went for it. But Betsy had no idea Kate would take issue with tons of illustrations that she finds degrading to women. She has a point. This book, you will find, has not aged as well as you may hope.
Show Notes:
Tis true! This is the second Laura Cornell book on this podcast. Take a listen to the Heather Has Two Mommies episode, because Ms. Cornell illustrated it for the reissue: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/06/27/new-fuse-8-n-kate-episode-heather-has-two-mommies/
This is the article in Education and Career News with Ms. Curtis which explains why she started writing picture books in the first place: https://www.educationandcareernews.com/early-childhood-education/why-jamie-lee-curtis-is-passionate-about-childrens-literacy/
As listener Erica told us "This story from Minnesota Public Radio is about how jingle dancers have been dancing and praying for healing during the quarantines. The story includes some history of the jingle dance and some links to videos.": https://www.mprnews.org/story/2020/03/17/every-step-you-take-is-prayer-as-coronavirus-spreads-women-lead-virtual-dance-for-healing
And in case you missed it, here was Betsy's discussion with listener Carolyn Jeziorski, our official Expert Disaster Librarian: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/03/24/report-from-china-from-an-international-school-librarian-making-sense-of-school-closures/
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/03/30/fuse-8-n-kate-tell-me-again-about-the-night-i-was-born-by-jamie-lee-curtis-ill-laura-cornell/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/781330639Episode 129 - Leo the Late BloomerMon, 23 Mar 2020 03:36:41 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-129-leo-the-late-bloomer
00:28:40Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoSince Betsy's library is all closed up and she has no access to the books inside, she wasn't able to do a celebrity picture book with Kate this week. Such is the state of the world in which we live today. Not to worry! In this episode you will find a multitude of plover adjacent ideas, thoughts about developmental issues and when it's right to seek help vs. let things work out on their own, and why it's weird Leo isn't a lion. Like, not even a little bit. </p>
Show Notes:
Betsy happens to mention right at the top of the show the book Sick Simon by Dan Krall. If you want the ultimate title showing why you should wash your hands, VERY few books cover the information as well as this one. If there were any justice in this world, sales of this book would be currently through the roof.
Here's the obit of Jose Aruego via Phil Nel's Nine Kinds of Pie: http://www.philnel.com/2012/08/14/aruego/
For a full accounting of the Ariane Dewey controversy, please check out this excellent piece on Dewey, created by Lisa Von Drasek at the Blue Ox Review: https://www.continuum.umn.edu/2018/06/women-artists-ariane-dewey/
This is the Muppet Show rendering of Danny Boy that we keep referencing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCbuRA_D3KU
Let the record show that we recorded this long before the episode of Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me that ALSO happened to mention the Cats butt cut. We talked about it first!! https://www.dailydot.com/unclick/cats-movie-butthole-cut/
Kate mentions a show that she's enjoying. If you didn't catch it, it's called Letterkenny: https://www.vox.com/culture/2019/10/11/20909844/letterkenny-hulu-review-pitter-patter
Here's that Today Show post "How to homeschool during the coronavirus crisis with free resources". It's a shockingly useful collection of links: https://www.today.com/parents/how-homeschool-during-coronavirus-crisis-t176020
And here is Betsy's BYU Radio interview with the show Constant Wonder where she discussed Anne Carroll Moore: https://www.byuradio.org/episode/a5f07ed4-819f-4027-b5bb-590606625488/constant-wonder-no-children-in-libraries
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/03/23/fuse-8-n-kate-leo-the-late-bloomer-by-robert-kraus-jose-aruego-and-ariane-dewey/Since Betsy's library is all closed up and she ha…Since Betsy's library is all closed up and she has no access to the books inside, she wasn't able to do a celebrity picture book with Kate this week. Such is the state of the world in which we live today. Not to worry! In this episode you will find a multitude of plover adjacent ideas, thoughts about developmental issues and when it's right to seek help vs. let things work out on their own, and why it's weird Leo isn't a lion. Like, not even a little bit. </p>
Show Notes:
Betsy happens to mention right at the top of the show the book Sick Simon by Dan Krall. If you want the ultimate title showing why you should wash your hands, VERY few books cover the information as well as this one. If there were any justice in this world, sales of this book would be currently through the roof.
Here's the obit of Jose Aruego via Phil Nel's Nine Kinds of Pie: http://www.philnel.com/2012/08/14/aruego/
For a full accounting of the Ariane Dewey controversy, please check out this excellent piece on Dewey, created by Lisa Von Drasek at the Blue Ox Review: https://www.continuum.umn.edu/2018/06/women-artists-ariane-dewey/
This is the Muppet Show rendering of Danny Boy that we keep referencing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCbuRA_D3KU
Let the record show that we recorded this long before the episode of Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me that ALSO happened to mention the Cats butt cut. We talked about it first!! https://www.dailydot.com/unclick/cats-movie-butthole-cut/
Kate mentions a show that she's enjoying. If you didn't catch it, it's called Letterkenny: https://www.vox.com/culture/2019/10/11/20909844/letterkenny-hulu-review-pitter-patter
Here's that Today Show post "How to homeschool during the coronavirus crisis with free resources". It's a shockingly useful collection of links: https://www.today.com/parents/how-homeschool-during-coronavirus-crisis-t176020
And here is Betsy's BYU Radio interview with the show Constant Wonder where she discussed Anne Carroll Moore: https://www.byuradio.org/episode/a5f07ed4-819f-4027-b5bb-590606625488/constant-wonder-no-children-in-libraries
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/03/23/fuse-8-n-kate-leo-the-late-bloomer-by-robert-kraus-jose-aruego-and-ariane-dewey/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/776866711Episode 128 - We're Going on a Bear HuntMon, 16 Mar 2020 04:57:23 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-128-were-going-on-a-bear-hunt
00:26:01Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoTo help out families stuck in their homes with small children, avoiding COVID-19, people have been creating videos of people reading picture books. And WHAT, I ask you, is a better readaloud than this storytime classic? Nothing, I tells ya! Nothing! Kate gets introduced to Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury for the very first time. Imagine showing someone, who has never seen this story performed for small children, encountering this book without that context. We spend a bit of our discussion considering the bear's motives here. Maybe the bear has come out of hibernation is starving. Maybe it's lonely. And maybe this is just a great book through and through. Maybe.
Show Notes:
You probably won't be able to read it in full but here is the 2014 Telegraph article about the book, but it's there in case you need it: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/mother-tongue/10879290/Going-on-a-bear-hunt.html
This book made #12 on my Top 100 Board Books Poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/08/09/the-top-100-board-books-poll-countdown-15-11/
Here is Michael Rosen performing this book by his very own self: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gyI6ykDwds
And here is the video that Kate recommended. I present to you, Black Violin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYerKidQGcc
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/03/16/fuse-8-n-kate-were-going-on-a-bear-hunt-by-michael-rosen-ill-helen-oxenbury/To help out families stuck in their homes with sm…To help out families stuck in their homes with small children, avoiding COVID-19, people have been creating videos of people reading picture books. And WHAT, I ask you, is a better readaloud than this storytime classic? Nothing, I tells ya! Nothing! Kate gets introduced to Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury for the very first time. Imagine showing someone, who has never seen this story performed for small children, encountering this book without that context. We spend a bit of our discussion considering the bear's motives here. Maybe the bear has come out of hibernation is starving. Maybe it's lonely. And maybe this is just a great book through and through. Maybe.
Show Notes:
You probably won't be able to read it in full but here is the 2014 Telegraph article about the book, but it's there in case you need it: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/mother-tongue/10879290/Going-on-a-bear-hunt.html
This book made #12 on my Top 100 Board Books Poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/08/09/the-top-100-board-books-poll-countdown-15-11/
Here is Michael Rosen performing this book by his very own self: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gyI6ykDwds
And here is the video that Kate recommended. I present to you, Black Violin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYerKidQGcc
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/03/16/fuse-8-n-kate-were-going-on-a-bear-hunt-by-michael-rosen-ill-helen-oxenbury/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/773019133Episode 127 - Chicka Chicka Boom BoomMon, 09 Mar 2020 04:26:31 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-127-chicka-chicka-boom-boom
00:29:49Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoHaving survived a bout of pestilence and plague (read: lice and flu), Betsy was still in an oddly upbeat mood in this week's episode. And why not? Chicka Chicka Boom Boom is, by its very definition, an upbeat book! It is also one of those rare "classic" picture books where the author(s) and illustrator are separate. Kate, as is expected, finds a 100% legitimate mistake in the art that nobody in the history of the world has ever noticed before. Also discussed: what the Cyrillic edition of this book might look like, the great shame of the book, and (for some godforsaken reason) Love Is Blind.
For complete Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/03/09/fuse-8-n-kate-chicka-chicka-boom-boom-by-bill-martin-jr-john-archambault-ill-lois-ehlert/Having survived a bout of pestilence and plague (…Having survived a bout of pestilence and plague (read: lice and flu), Betsy was still in an oddly upbeat mood in this week's episode. And why not? Chicka Chicka Boom Boom is, by its very definition, an upbeat book! It is also one of those rare "classic" picture books where the author(s) and illustrator are separate. Kate, as is expected, finds a 100% legitimate mistake in the art that nobody in the history of the world has ever noticed before. Also discussed: what the Cyrillic edition of this book might look like, the great shame of the book, and (for some godforsaken reason) Love Is Blind.
For complete Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/03/09/fuse-8-n-kate-chicka-chicka-boom-boom-by-bill-martin-jr-john-archambault-ill-lois-ehlert/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/769317751Episode 126 - The SnowmanMon, 02 Mar 2020 04:52:28 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-126-the-snowman
00:31:54Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoWere you British, you might find it downright odd that Betsy and Kate have chosen to do Raymond Brigg's wordless picture book in March. That is because in Britain this title is generally considered a Christmas classic. Here in the States not so much. You may also not expect that Betsy's conversation with Kate about this book will devolve into a very long and intense argument over whether or not Frosty the Snowman dies at the end of his song. Betsy says he doesn't, Kate says he does. Who is right?
Show Notes:
We are so happy to report that Betsy's new show, The Story Seeds Podcast, is up and running! More about the show in the future: https://www.storyseeds.co/
Kate challenged Betsy to bring her a celebrity picture book, but Betsy found the request too difficult. Seriously, folks, if you can think of a "classic" celebrity picture book that people ACTUALLY LIKE, let us know what it is at FuseKate8@gmail.com.
Well worth reading today: The Guardian article, "Raymond Briggs: Don't call me the king of Christmas. I don't like children, I try to avoid them": https://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/dec/20/raymond-briggs-christmas-fungus-bogeyman-television
Here is the short film based on this book that they run in England every year around Christmas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5A3THighARU
And here is the advert (if you will) that made fun of it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yZOab5gl-4
For the full Show Notes, please visit us at http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/03/02/fuse-8-n-kate-the-snowman-by-raymond-briggs/Were you British, you might find it downright odd…Were you British, you might find it downright odd that Betsy and Kate have chosen to do Raymond Brigg's wordless picture book in March. That is because in Britain this title is generally considered a Christmas classic. Here in the States not so much. You may also not expect that Betsy's conversation with Kate about this book will devolve into a very long and intense argument over whether or not Frosty the Snowman dies at the end of his song. Betsy says he doesn't, Kate says he does. Who is right?
Show Notes:
We are so happy to report that Betsy's new show, The Story Seeds Podcast, is up and running! More about the show in the future: https://www.storyseeds.co/
Kate challenged Betsy to bring her a celebrity picture book, but Betsy found the request too difficult. Seriously, folks, if you can think of a "classic" celebrity picture book that people ACTUALLY LIKE, let us know what it is at FuseKate8@gmail.com.
Well worth reading today: The Guardian article, "Raymond Briggs: Don't call me the king of Christmas. I don't like children, I try to avoid them": https://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/dec/20/raymond-briggs-christmas-fungus-bogeyman-television
Here is the short film based on this book that they run in England every year around Christmas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5A3THighARU
And here is the advert (if you will) that made fun of it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yZOab5gl-4
For the full Show Notes, please visit us at http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/03/02/fuse-8-n-kate-the-snowman-by-raymond-briggs/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/765590062Episode 125 - Jingle DancerMon, 24 Feb 2020 05:22:47 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-125-jingle-dancer
00:29:32Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoBetsy was wracking her brain to figure out what the best possible candidate might be as a contender for classic picture book status with an #ownvoices Indigenous creator. Generally speaking, when fishing for classics, Kate and Betsy like to look at books that have been out for 20 years. Today's title was published in 2000. Now the question of the day with this podcast is whether, in light of the truly magnificent children's books coming out from Native and Indigenous authors, Jingle Dancer still stands up.
Show Notes:
- You can find more information about The American Indian Youth Literature Award here: https://ailanet.org/activities/american-indian-youth-literature-award/
- Referring back to our previous episode, are you curious about the good work Peggy Rathmann is doing these days? You can check out the <em>New York Times</em> article on her as of 2018 here: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/18/magazine/dirt-save-earth-carbon-farming-climate-change.html
- Feel out to sea about the Oh Na Na Na TikTok Dance Challenge? Here's a quickie compilation of the latest dance Betsy hadn't heard of: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHBwE7h8plE
- For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/02/24/fuse-8-n-kate-jingle-dancer-by-cynthia-leitich-smith/Betsy was wracking her brain to figure out what t…Betsy was wracking her brain to figure out what the best possible candidate might be as a contender for classic picture book status with an #ownvoices Indigenous creator. Generally speaking, when fishing for classics, Kate and Betsy like to look at books that have been out for 20 years. Today's title was published in 2000. Now the question of the day with this podcast is whether, in light of the truly magnificent children's books coming out from Native and Indigenous authors, Jingle Dancer still stands up.
Show Notes:
- You can find more information about The American Indian Youth Literature Award here: https://ailanet.org/activities/american-indian-youth-literature-award/
- Referring back to our previous episode, are you curious about the good work Peggy Rathmann is doing these days? You can check out the <em>New York Times</em> article on her as of 2018 here: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/18/magazine/dirt-save-earth-carbon-farming-climate-change.html
- Feel out to sea about the Oh Na Na Na TikTok Dance Challenge? Here's a quickie compilation of the latest dance Betsy hadn't heard of: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHBwE7h8plE
- For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/02/24/fuse-8-n-kate-jingle-dancer-by-cynthia-leitich-smith/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/761922421Episode 124 - The Day the Babies Crawled AwayMon, 17 Feb 2020 04:57:16 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-124-the-day-the-babies-crawled-away
00:34:47Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoGenerally speaking Kate and Betsy prefer dead people. Dead authors. Dead illustrators. But boy howdy do they like it when they have them come on as guests, so put a hash mark in the "Live" column. Back on October 30, 2017 Betsy made Kate read Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynolds (listen to it here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/10/30/spooky-october-infused-fuse-8-n-kate-creepy-carrots-by-aaron-reynolds-and-peter-brown/). With this episode, Aaron comes on the show, marking this as the first time a creator of a book covered on the show has made a guest appearance. When asked what book he'd like to do, he suggested this Peggy Rathmann classic.
Kate would like me to state, for the record, that the Penguinologist was out of town, which is why the sound is a little funky.
Show Notes:
Here is Aaron performing Ms. Spears at TLA. Best dang thing you'll see all day. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbwZ1o2gOME
You can find Peggy Rathmann's website here: http://www.peggyrathmann.com/. Like we say, pretty bare bones. As far as we can tell it hasn't been updated since 2004. Impressive, actually.
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/02/17/fuse-8-n-kate-the-day-the-babies-crawled-away-with-special-guest-star-aaron-reynolds/Generally speaking Kate and Betsy prefer dead peo…Generally speaking Kate and Betsy prefer dead people. Dead authors. Dead illustrators. But boy howdy do they like it when they have them come on as guests, so put a hash mark in the "Live" column. Back on October 30, 2017 Betsy made Kate read Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynolds (listen to it here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/10/30/spooky-october-infused-fuse-8-n-kate-creepy-carrots-by-aaron-reynolds-and-peter-brown/). With this episode, Aaron comes on the show, marking this as the first time a creator of a book covered on the show has made a guest appearance. When asked what book he'd like to do, he suggested this Peggy Rathmann classic.
Kate would like me to state, for the record, that the Penguinologist was out of town, which is why the sound is a little funky.
Show Notes:
Here is Aaron performing Ms. Spears at TLA. Best dang thing you'll see all day. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbwZ1o2gOME
You can find Peggy Rathmann's website here: http://www.peggyrathmann.com/. Like we say, pretty bare bones. As far as we can tell it hasn't been updated since 2004. Impressive, actually.
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/02/17/fuse-8-n-kate-the-day-the-babies-crawled-away-with-special-guest-star-aaron-reynolds/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/757530430Episode 123 - Hand, Hand, Fingers, ThumbMon, 10 Feb 2020 06:00:20 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-123-hand-hand-fingers-thumb
00:28:00Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoWith the full and present knowledge that monkeys in children's literature are problematic to the extreme, Kate and Betsy tackle a book that involves a kind of animal that is professed to be a monkey but is, in fact, an ape, much like the problematic-in-his-own-way Curious George(seen on a previous episode). When Betsy was a new mom, she used today's book endlessly with my kids. Yet it was only recently that she realized that she knew next to nothing about either Mr. Perkins or Mr. Gurney. Kate gets to do her Beatnik imitation again (you'd be amazed how often it comes up on this show) and later brings up Silent Bob.
Show Notes:
The site Dadwagon screetched to a halt in 2015, but if you're curious about Al Perkins, check out the comments on this post. It'll clear a lot of information for you: https://dadwagon.com/2010/06/02/the-mystery-of-al-perkins/
As is I mentioned on the show, The Rabbit Hole in North Kansas City should be opening some time this year. Check 'em out! https://www.rabbitholekc.org
For full show notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/02/10/fuse-8-n-kate-hand-hand-fingers-thumbWith the full and present knowledge that monkeys …With the full and present knowledge that monkeys in children's literature are problematic to the extreme, Kate and Betsy tackle a book that involves a kind of animal that is professed to be a monkey but is, in fact, an ape, much like the problematic-in-his-own-way Curious George(seen on a previous episode). When Betsy was a new mom, she used today's book endlessly with my kids. Yet it was only recently that she realized that she knew next to nothing about either Mr. Perkins or Mr. Gurney. Kate gets to do her Beatnik imitation again (you'd be amazed how often it comes up on this show) and later brings up Silent Bob.
Show Notes:
The site Dadwagon screetched to a halt in 2015, but if you're curious about Al Perkins, check out the comments on this post. It'll clear a lot of information for you: https://dadwagon.com/2010/06/02/the-mystery-of-al-perkins/
As is I mentioned on the show, The Rabbit Hole in North Kansas City should be opening some time this year. Check 'em out! https://www.rabbitholekc.org
For full show notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/02/10/fuse-8-n-kate-hand-hand-fingers-thumbtag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/754122637Episode 122 - A Chair for My MotherMon, 03 Feb 2020 04:44:59 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-122-a-chair-for-my-mother
00:30:47Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoHaving successfully predicted one of the Caldecott Honors in a previous episode, Kate is quick to pop Betsy's puffed up ego right from the start of this week's recording. And good thing too, since the book being discussed is none other than that Reading Rainbow classic A Chair for My Mother. Betsy talks about some of the good narrative choices made by this book, while Kate talks about some of the very strange illustration choices.
Show Notes:
As is mentioned at the start, Caldecott Honor winner (for Three Jovial Huntsman) Susan Jeffers passed away recently. You may read more about her life here: https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-authors/article/82277-obituary-susan-jeffers.html
Read the obituary for Ms. Williams in The New York Times which reads Vera B. Williams, 88, Dies; Brought Working Class to Children's Books: https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/21/books/vera-b-williams-who-brought-the-working-class-to-childrens-books-dies-at-88.html
How lucky we are that Horn Book makes their Horn Book-Boston Globe Book Award speeches available for free on their site. Please read Vera B. Williams' discussion about the origins of this book here: https://www.hbook.com/?detailStory=a-chair-for-my-mother-vera-b-williams-boston-globe-horn-book-award-acceptance-speech
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/02/03/fuse-8-n-kate-a-chair-for-my-mother-by-vera-b-williams/Having successfully predicted one of the Caldecot…Having successfully predicted one of the Caldecott Honors in a previous episode, Kate is quick to pop Betsy's puffed up ego right from the start of this week's recording. And good thing too, since the book being discussed is none other than that Reading Rainbow classic A Chair for My Mother. Betsy talks about some of the good narrative choices made by this book, while Kate talks about some of the very strange illustration choices.
Show Notes:
As is mentioned at the start, Caldecott Honor winner (for Three Jovial Huntsman) Susan Jeffers passed away recently. You may read more about her life here: https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-authors/article/82277-obituary-susan-jeffers.html
Read the obituary for Ms. Williams in The New York Times which reads Vera B. Williams, 88, Dies; Brought Working Class to Children's Books: https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/21/books/vera-b-williams-who-brought-the-working-class-to-childrens-books-dies-at-88.html
How lucky we are that Horn Book makes their Horn Book-Boston Globe Book Award speeches available for free on their site. Please read Vera B. Williams' discussion about the origins of this book here: https://www.hbook.com/?detailStory=a-chair-for-my-mother-vera-b-williams-boston-globe-horn-book-award-acceptance-speech
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/02/03/fuse-8-n-kate-a-chair-for-my-mother-by-vera-b-williams/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/750103792Episode 121 - Clifford the Big Red DogMon, 27 Jan 2020 04:22:57 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-121-clifford-the-big-red-dog
00:27:14Betsy Bird and Kate Ramseyno"I have a big red dog. Accept the reality in which I live."
Betsy had been avoiding Clifford all these years. Why? Because she always remembered the book as dull. So you've gotta hand it to Kate. Thanks to her the two find far more to talk about concerning Clifford than you ever thought possible. From Emily Elizabeth's fashion sense to why you wouldn't want to camp under his jowls to the logistics of pouring hot tea on your dog's tongue, this book is rife with possibilities.
Show Notes:
Betsy managed to find an image of the stuffed Clifford at NYPL here: https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-clifford-the-big-red-dog-display-childrens-library-new-york-public-138133333.html
And because we simply cannot resist, here is some Clifford fan art by sandra that you may purchase here, if you're so inclined: https://www.deviantart.com/sandara/art/Clifford-the-big-red-dog-329256590
For the full show notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/01/27/fuse-8-n-kate-clifford-the-big-red-dog-by-norman-bridwell/"I have a big red dog. Accept the reality in whic…"I have a big red dog. Accept the reality in which I live."
Betsy had been avoiding Clifford all these years. Why? Because she always remembered the book as dull. So you've gotta hand it to Kate. Thanks to her the two find far more to talk about concerning Clifford than you ever thought possible. From Emily Elizabeth's fashion sense to why you wouldn't want to camp under his jowls to the logistics of pouring hot tea on your dog's tongue, this book is rife with possibilities.
Show Notes:
Betsy managed to find an image of the stuffed Clifford at NYPL here: https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-clifford-the-big-red-dog-display-childrens-library-new-york-public-138133333.html
And because we simply cannot resist, here is some Clifford fan art by sandra that you may purchase here, if you're so inclined: https://www.deviantart.com/sandara/art/Clifford-the-big-red-dog-329256590
For the full show notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/01/27/fuse-8-n-kate-clifford-the-big-red-dog-by-norman-bridwell/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/746237623Episode 120 - Caldecott ContendersMon, 20 Jan 2020 04:46:32 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-120-caldecott-contenders
00:30:12Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoIf you get your kicks out of Kate and Betsy disagreeing about books, today's episode may not be for you. Each year Betsy presents Kate with 2-3 Caldecott contenders. Which is to say, they discuss books that may or may not win the Caldecott Award (which will be handed out a week from today on Monday, January 27th at 8:00 ET here: http://ala.unikron.com/). This gives the two of them a chance to discuss the art and, to a lesser extent, the books' chances. There were actually a fair number Betsy wasn't able to get my hands on for today's recording, but happily two of her favorites WERE available!
Show Notes:
When discussing the idea of opening the Newbery and Caldecott Awards to artists from other countries the articles, Betsy refers to Leonard Marcus's piece in the New York Times called The Caldecott Medal Needs an International Makeover and found here: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/12/books/review/make-caldecott-medal-international.html
- She also discusses The Horn Book editorial Bordering On the Absurd by Martha Parravano here: https://www.hbook.com/?detailStory=jan-feb-20-editorial
- You can read Betsy's official review of Going Down Home With Daddy here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/06/06/review-of-the-day-going-down-home-with-daddy-by-kelly-starling-lyons-and-daniel-minter/
You can read Betsy's Caldecott thoughts on A Stone Sat Still here: https://www.hbook.com/?detailStory=a-stone-sat-still
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/01/20/fuse-8-n-kate-2020-caldecott-contenders/If you get your kicks out of Kate and Betsy disag…If you get your kicks out of Kate and Betsy disagreeing about books, today's episode may not be for you. Each year Betsy presents Kate with 2-3 Caldecott contenders. Which is to say, they discuss books that may or may not win the Caldecott Award (which will be handed out a week from today on Monday, January 27th at 8:00 ET here: http://ala.unikron.com/). This gives the two of them a chance to discuss the art and, to a lesser extent, the books' chances. There were actually a fair number Betsy wasn't able to get my hands on for today's recording, but happily two of her favorites WERE available!
Show Notes:
When discussing the idea of opening the Newbery and Caldecott Awards to artists from other countries the articles, Betsy refers to Leonard Marcus's piece in the New York Times called The Caldecott Medal Needs an International Makeover and found here: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/12/books/review/make-caldecott-medal-international.html
- She also discusses The Horn Book editorial Bordering On the Absurd by Martha Parravano here: https://www.hbook.com/?detailStory=jan-feb-20-editorial
- You can read Betsy's official review of Going Down Home With Daddy here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/06/06/review-of-the-day-going-down-home-with-daddy-by-kelly-starling-lyons-and-daniel-minter/
You can read Betsy's Caldecott thoughts on A Stone Sat Still here: https://www.hbook.com/?detailStory=a-stone-sat-still
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/01/20/fuse-8-n-kate-2020-caldecott-contenders/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/742591087Episode 119 - Trashy TownMon, 13 Jan 2020 03:57:30 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-119-trashy-town
00:30:03Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoHow old are we all that Trashy Town is 21 this year? Is it just us or does that seem like a very large number? Continuing to attempt to find storytime classics that librarians love, Betsy has Kate take a look at this readaloud classic. And, if you recall, Kate does not always take to storytime books. Many questions are raised in the course of the proceedings. Does Mr. Gilly work for the city? What is the nature of the rat's open mouth? Is Mr. Gilly picking up syringes and blood behind that doctor's office? And why the heck did they name their burg "Trashy Town"? Seems a poor choice and could affect the tourism industry. Please see to it that you enjoy the different rhythmic renditions of the chant in this book. The Monty Python one may become your favorite.
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/01/13/fuse-8-n-kate-trashy-town-by-andrea-zimmerman-david-clemsha-and-dan-yaccarino/How old are we all that Trashy Town is 21 this ye…How old are we all that Trashy Town is 21 this year? Is it just us or does that seem like a very large number? Continuing to attempt to find storytime classics that librarians love, Betsy has Kate take a look at this readaloud classic. And, if you recall, Kate does not always take to storytime books. Many questions are raised in the course of the proceedings. Does Mr. Gilly work for the city? What is the nature of the rat's open mouth? Is Mr. Gilly picking up syringes and blood behind that doctor's office? And why the heck did they name their burg "Trashy Town"? Seems a poor choice and could affect the tourism industry. Please see to it that you enjoy the different rhythmic renditions of the chant in this book. The Monty Python one may become your favorite.
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/01/13/fuse-8-n-kate-trashy-town-by-andrea-zimmerman-david-clemsha-and-dan-yaccarino/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/739049380Episode 118 - Knuffle Bunny TooMon, 06 Jan 2020 05:45:09 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-118-knuffle-bunny-too
00:30:30Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoThis past weekend Betsy took a trip to the Chicago Children's Museum with her kids, and lo and behold she stumbled upon a Mo Willems exhibit currently showing. She marveled at how the show cleverly integrated elements of the artist's books with honestly good, interactive stations. In a nod to Mo's background in animation, for example, kids can turn (oddly sturdy) cranks which flip pages featuring his characters doing an array of different things.
Of course, by complete coincidence Kate and Betsy had just finished recording their episode on Knuffle Bunny Too. It's been a while since they've done a particularly famous book, and this would be the perfect way to kick off the new year. Mind you, longtime listeners might remember that Kate has never been the biggest Mo Willems fan out there. She wasn't particularly enamored of Knuffle Bunny the first. How would the second fare?
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/01/06/fuse-8-n-kate-knuffle-bunny-too-by-mo-willems/This past weekend Betsy took a trip to the Chicag…This past weekend Betsy took a trip to the Chicago Children's Museum with her kids, and lo and behold she stumbled upon a Mo Willems exhibit currently showing. She marveled at how the show cleverly integrated elements of the artist's books with honestly good, interactive stations. In a nod to Mo's background in animation, for example, kids can turn (oddly sturdy) cranks which flip pages featuring his characters doing an array of different things.
Of course, by complete coincidence Kate and Betsy had just finished recording their episode on Knuffle Bunny Too. It's been a while since they've done a particularly famous book, and this would be the perfect way to kick off the new year. Mind you, longtime listeners might remember that Kate has never been the biggest Mo Willems fan out there. She wasn't particularly enamored of Knuffle Bunny the first. How would the second fare?
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/01/06/fuse-8-n-kate-knuffle-bunny-too-by-mo-willems/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/735687610Episode 117 - Hanukkah Bear:The Chanukkah GuestMon, 30 Dec 2019 05:08:01 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-117-hanukkah-bearthe-chanukkah-guest
00:30:54Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoIt's the last day of Hanukkah and what better way to celebrate than with one book split into two parts? In 1990 Eric Kimmel adapted a story he'd written for Cricket Magazine to a picture book format and called it The Chanukkah Guest. Then, in 2013 he took that same Cricket Magazine tale and turned it into the slightly different Hanukkah Bear. One story. One author. Two different versions. Are they both Hanukkah classics or will only one make the final cut? Betsy and Kate discuss every possible angle and come up with the perfect title for a new holiday book: Hanukkah Hangry. You are welcome to use it. Just credit us with the title.
For the complete show notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/12/30/fuse-8-n-kate-the-chanukkah-guest-hanukkah-bear-by-eric-a-kimmel/It's the last day of Hanukkah and what better way…It's the last day of Hanukkah and what better way to celebrate than with one book split into two parts? In 1990 Eric Kimmel adapted a story he'd written for Cricket Magazine to a picture book format and called it The Chanukkah Guest. Then, in 2013 he took that same Cricket Magazine tale and turned it into the slightly different Hanukkah Bear. One story. One author. Two different versions. Are they both Hanukkah classics or will only one make the final cut? Betsy and Kate discuss every possible angle and come up with the perfect title for a new holiday book: Hanukkah Hangry. You are welcome to use it. Just credit us with the title.
For the complete show notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/12/30/fuse-8-n-kate-the-chanukkah-guest-hanukkah-bear-by-eric-a-kimmel/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/732622717Episode 116 - The NativityMon, 23 Dec 2019 04:55:07 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-116-the-nativity
00:30:29Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoToday's book is sort of a favor to Kate and Betsy's mom. She's always been very fond of this particular telling of The Nativity, and it remains a favorite to this day. And it's so nice to return to Julie Vivas again! When last seen on this podcast we were looking at her book with Mem Fox called Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge (found here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/04/22/fuse-8-n-kate/).
By the way, Betsy begins by saying that this book is out-of-print. Turns out there's a paperback edition (ISBN: 9780152060855) that's absolutely in print and FINE! So no worries there. False alarm!
Show Notes:
Thanks to the wonders of Google Books, you can actually find the selection from Censorship: A World Encyclopedia where the objections to this book are recorded here: https://books.google.com/books?id=nzisCQAAQBAJ&amp;pg=PT1869&amp;lpg=PT1869&amp;dq=the+nativity+julie+vivas+censorship&amp;source=bl&amp;ots=gR_0T8y8Cv&amp;sig=ACfU3U0l6llPRJ27Pmyb0nw3Bb1s4E8now&amp;hl=en&amp;ppis=_e&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=2ahUKEwitrbK9-8rmAhWCGM0KHd8CAkEQ6AEwD3oECAoQAQ#v=onepage&amp;q=the%20nativity%20julie%20vivas%20censorship&amp;f=false
For the full show notes, please visit us here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/12/23/fuse-8-n-kate-the-nativity-by-julie-vivas/Today's book is sort of a favor to Kate and Betsy…Today's book is sort of a favor to Kate and Betsy's mom. She's always been very fond of this particular telling of The Nativity, and it remains a favorite to this day. And it's so nice to return to Julie Vivas again! When last seen on this podcast we were looking at her book with Mem Fox called Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge (found here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/04/22/fuse-8-n-kate/).
By the way, Betsy begins by saying that this book is out-of-print. Turns out there's a paperback edition (ISBN: 9780152060855) that's absolutely in print and FINE! So no worries there. False alarm!
Show Notes:
Thanks to the wonders of Google Books, you can actually find the selection from Censorship: A World Encyclopedia where the objections to this book are recorded here: https://books.google.com/books?id=nzisCQAAQBAJ&amp;pg=PT1869&amp;lpg=PT1869&amp;dq=the+nativity+julie+vivas+censorship&amp;source=bl&amp;ots=gR_0T8y8Cv&amp;sig=ACfU3U0l6llPRJ27Pmyb0nw3Bb1s4E8now&amp;hl=en&amp;ppis=_e&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=2ahUKEwitrbK9-8rmAhWCGM0KHd8CAkEQ6AEwD3oECAoQAQ#v=onepage&amp;q=the%20nativity%20julie%20vivas%20censorship&amp;f=false
For the full show notes, please visit us here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/12/23/fuse-8-n-kate-the-nativity-by-julie-vivas/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/728471629Episode 115 - A Small MiracleMon, 16 Dec 2019 04:35:55 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-115-a-small-miracle
00:30:39Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoAh! At last! The chance to combine three of our favorite types of literature: Holiday Books, Wordless Books, and Cult Classics. In trying to find a new Christmas classic to do with Kate, it occurred to Betsy that the two had never done this particular book. It first came to Betsy's attention years ago thanks in large part to Alison Morris (now working at First Book). Unfamiliar with it? We hope you like a book that leans into its weirdness.
For full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/12/16/fuse-8-n-kate-a-small-miracle-by-peter-collington/Ah! At last! The chance to combine three of our f…Ah! At last! The chance to combine three of our favorite types of literature: Holiday Books, Wordless Books, and Cult Classics. In trying to find a new Christmas classic to do with Kate, it occurred to Betsy that the two had never done this particular book. It first came to Betsy's attention years ago thanks in large part to Alison Morris (now working at First Book). Unfamiliar with it? We hope you like a book that leans into its weirdness.
For full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/12/16/fuse-8-n-kate-a-small-miracle-by-peter-collington/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/724799371Episode 114 - FortunatelyMon, 09 Dec 2019 03:39:38 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-114-fortunately
00:28:44Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoIn some ways, 2019 was kind of a fortunately/unfortunately kind of year. Seems appropriate that we would tackle Remy Charlip's best known work in one of our final podcasts of the year. Librarians adore this title because its readaloud potential is huge. Will Kate love it for its originality, or detest it for the complete lack of sense it makes? You cannot help but love the fact that she believes that given Charlip's origins, letting Ned die would have been the Frenchest ending of them all. Or that if you try to work out the geography of this book, you're in trouble. He goes from New York to the water with sharks to an island with tigers . . . to Florida?
For the full Show Notes visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/12/09/fuse-8-n-kate-unfortunately-by-remy-charlip/In some ways, 2019 was kind of a fortunately/unfo…In some ways, 2019 was kind of a fortunately/unfortunately kind of year. Seems appropriate that we would tackle Remy Charlip's best known work in one of our final podcasts of the year. Librarians adore this title because its readaloud potential is huge. Will Kate love it for its originality, or detest it for the complete lack of sense it makes? You cannot help but love the fact that she believes that given Charlip's origins, letting Ned die would have been the Frenchest ending of them all. Or that if you try to work out the geography of this book, you're in trouble. He goes from New York to the water with sharks to an island with tigers . . . to Florida?
For the full Show Notes visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/12/09/fuse-8-n-kate-unfortunately-by-remy-charlip/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/721462852Episode 113 - A Kiss for Little BearMon, 02 Dec 2019 05:40:15 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-113-a-kiss-for-little-bear
00:27:47Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoSometimes you just gotta read something awkward. Today, in spite of Betsy's determination never to do so, she skipped over ALL the previous Little Bear books produced by Minarik and Sendak and handed her sister the strangest of them all. Will Kate or Betsy think that this book is essentially the cringe comedy easy book of children's literature? Will Kate find a good image for a tattoo? Is there any situation where it is not weird to "kiss the bride"?
Show Notes:
The Kirkus review of this book is THE BEST! https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/else-holmelund-minarik/a-kiss-for-little-bear/
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/12/02/fuse-8-n-kate-a-kiss-for-little-bear-by-else-holmelund-minarik-ill-maurice-sendak/Sometimes you just gotta read something awkward. …Sometimes you just gotta read something awkward. Today, in spite of Betsy's determination never to do so, she skipped over ALL the previous Little Bear books produced by Minarik and Sendak and handed her sister the strangest of them all. Will Kate or Betsy think that this book is essentially the cringe comedy easy book of children's literature? Will Kate find a good image for a tattoo? Is there any situation where it is not weird to "kiss the bride"?
Show Notes:
The Kirkus review of this book is THE BEST! https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/else-holmelund-minarik/a-kiss-for-little-bear/
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/12/02/fuse-8-n-kate-a-kiss-for-little-bear-by-else-holmelund-minarik-ill-maurice-sendak/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/718079503Episode 112 - Green Eggs and HamMon, 25 Nov 2019 05:56:50 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-112-green-eggs-and-ham
00:30:37Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoWhen Kate challenged Betsy to find a classic Thanksgiving book, she made the mistake of saying off-handedly, "Oh, it could just be about food too." Ah HAH! Food, eh? Well, they'd already done Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, so that could leave only one other famous food-related piece of children's literary history. That's right. Time to down some Green Eggs and Ham.
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/11/25/fuse-8-n-kate-green-eggs-and-ham-by-dr-seuss/
Betsy anticipated our discussion of whether or not this book is more of a St. Patrick's Day title. What she did not think of was whether or not this book would tap into Kate's bottomless knowledge of sales. It does, she shares her opinion, and Betsy get scared. And really, isn't being scared by your relatives exactly what Thanksgiving is all about anyway? Happy listening!
Show Notes:
This book showed up at #12 on the Top 100 Picture Books Poll. There are some very funny links in there that you might find worth checking out: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/06/15/top-100-picture-books-12-green-eggs-and-ham-by-dr-seuss/
Betsy wasn't wrong. Here is the bizarre description of this book in the NYPL catalog: https://browse.nypl.org/iii/encore/record/C__Rb18712668__Sgreen%20eggs%20and%20ham__Orightresult__U__X7?lang=eng&amp;suite=def
Do you harbor any curiosity at all about the Netflix show? Here's a trailer to clarify matters. It's . . . uh . . . it's something all right. Guess Kate was right about the two being strangers at the start: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaqKPRxxaSk
And I found the video of the Rev. Jesse Jackson reading snatches of the book on Saturday Night Live. Darndest thing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1mqg4C0awAWhen Kate challenged Betsy to find a classic Than…When Kate challenged Betsy to find a classic Thanksgiving book, she made the mistake of saying off-handedly, "Oh, it could just be about food too." Ah HAH! Food, eh? Well, they'd already done Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, so that could leave only one other famous food-related piece of children's literary history. That's right. Time to down some Green Eggs and Ham.
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/11/25/fuse-8-n-kate-green-eggs-and-ham-by-dr-seuss/
Betsy anticipated our discussion of whether or not this book is more of a St. Patrick's Day title. What she did not think of was whether or not this book would tap into Kate's bottomless knowledge of sales. It does, she shares her opinion, and Betsy get scared. And really, isn't being scared by your relatives exactly what Thanksgiving is all about anyway? Happy listening!
Show Notes:
This book showed up at #12 on the Top 100 Picture Books Poll. There are some very funny links in there that you might find worth checking out: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/06/15/top-100-picture-books-12-green-eggs-and-ham-by-dr-seuss/
Betsy wasn't wrong. Here is the bizarre description of this book in the NYPL catalog: https://browse.nypl.org/iii/encore/record/C__Rb18712668__Sgreen%20eggs%20and%20ham__Orightresult__U__X7?lang=eng&amp;suite=def
Do you harbor any curiosity at all about the Netflix show? Here's a trailer to clarify matters. It's . . . uh . . . it's something all right. Guess Kate was right about the two being strangers at the start: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaqKPRxxaSk
And I found the video of the Rev. Jesse Jackson reading snatches of the book on Saturday Night Live. Darndest thing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1mqg4C0awAtag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/710938171Episode 111 - The Big Orange SplotMon, 11 Nov 2019 05:27:40 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-111-the-big-orange-splot
00:30:54Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoIt seemed like it would be a pretty safe bet that Kate wouldn't have heard of this week's book. A little 1977 beauty it is. Betsy and Kate haven't done a Pinkwater book before, and this is a heckuva way to begin. It's a glorious celebration of disappointing the homeowner's associations of the world. It also apparently has to do with Nickelodeon, how to keep a pet alligator, and magical mystery lemonade.
Show Notes:
For further information about that weird moment when a standardized test took one of Pinkwater's stories and asked kids to explain it, check out this New York Times article on the subject: https://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/21/nyregion/standardized-testing-is-blamed-for-question-about-a-sleeveless-pineapple.html
Woohoo! Teaching Children Philosophy is baaaack! Here is their section dedicated to The Big Orange Splot: https://www.teachingchildrenphilosophy.org/BookModule/TheBigOrangeSplot
For the full Show Notes, please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/11/11/fuse-8-n-kate-the-big-orange-splot-by-daniel-pinkwater/(opens in a new tab)It seemed like it would be a pretty safe bet that…It seemed like it would be a pretty safe bet that Kate wouldn't have heard of this week's book. A little 1977 beauty it is. Betsy and Kate haven't done a Pinkwater book before, and this is a heckuva way to begin. It's a glorious celebration of disappointing the homeowner's associations of the world. It also apparently has to do with Nickelodeon, how to keep a pet alligator, and magical mystery lemonade.
Show Notes:
For further information about that weird moment when a standardized test took one of Pinkwater's stories and asked kids to explain it, check out this New York Times article on the subject: https://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/21/nyregion/standardized-testing-is-blamed-for-question-about-a-sleeveless-pineapple.html
Woohoo! Teaching Children Philosophy is baaaack! Here is their section dedicated to The Big Orange Splot: https://www.teachingchildrenphilosophy.org/BookModule/TheBigOrangeSplot
For the full Show Notes, please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/11/11/fuse-8-n-kate-the-big-orange-splot-by-daniel-pinkwater/(opens in a new tab)tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/707570878Episode 110 - The Kissing HandMon, 04 Nov 2019 04:52:50 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-110-the-kissing-hand
00:30:19Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoIf there's one thing we know, it's that there are two kinds of picture books that are most often divisive: the message-y books and the sweet and fuzzies. Combine the two and you get The Kissing Hand. There is NO doubt that the book is loved deeply by Kindergarten teachers, but would you call it a picture book classic worthy of keeping on shelves for decades to come? Betsy really didn't know how Kate would react to this one when I handed it to her. Would she be charmed? Be appalled? And, as ever, Kate surprises Betsy. She's good at that.
Show Notes:
- Honestly, if you know why there used to be two illustrators associated with this book and then, later, only illustrator Ruth E. Harper was mentioned on the book's website, please let us in on the story.
- Yep. On the Top 100 Picture Books Poll it came in at #95: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/05/16/top-100-picture-books-95-the-kissing-hand-by-audrey-penn/
- Here's the link to Letters to Chester, which is entirely free and online for you: http://www.tanglewoodbooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Letters-to-Chester_Layout_LowEmail3c.indd_.pdf
- Want to cook up some Kissing Hand cookies of your own? This one with Hershey's Kisses makes a lot of sense: http://www.momto2poshlildivas.com/2011/08/kissing-hand-keepsake-craft-math.html
And finally, here is the book trailer for Fabulous Monsters by Alberto Manguel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXg1bPoqHDU
For the full Show Notes, please visit http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/11/04/fuse-8-n'-kate:-the-kissing-hand-by-audrey-penn,-ruth-e-harper-&amp;-nancy-m-leak/If there's one thing we know, it's that there are…If there's one thing we know, it's that there are two kinds of picture books that are most often divisive: the message-y books and the sweet and fuzzies. Combine the two and you get The Kissing Hand. There is NO doubt that the book is loved deeply by Kindergarten teachers, but would you call it a picture book classic worthy of keeping on shelves for decades to come? Betsy really didn't know how Kate would react to this one when I handed it to her. Would she be charmed? Be appalled? And, as ever, Kate surprises Betsy. She's good at that.
Show Notes:
- Honestly, if you know why there used to be two illustrators associated with this book and then, later, only illustrator Ruth E. Harper was mentioned on the book's website, please let us in on the story.
- Yep. On the Top 100 Picture Books Poll it came in at #95: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/05/16/top-100-picture-books-95-the-kissing-hand-by-audrey-penn/
- Here's the link to Letters to Chester, which is entirely free and online for you: http://www.tanglewoodbooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Letters-to-Chester_Layout_LowEmail3c.indd_.pdf
- Want to cook up some Kissing Hand cookies of your own? This one with Hershey's Kisses makes a lot of sense: http://www.momto2poshlildivas.com/2011/08/kissing-hand-keepsake-craft-math.html
And finally, here is the book trailer for Fabulous Monsters by Alberto Manguel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXg1bPoqHDU
For the full Show Notes, please visit http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/11/04/fuse-8-n'-kate:-the-kissing-hand-by-audrey-penn,-ruth-e-harper-&amp;-nancy-m-leak/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/702727156Episode 109 - In a Dark, Dark Room and Other Scary StoriesMon, 28 Oct 2019 04:12:16 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-109-in-a-dark-dark-room-and-other-scary-stories
00:30:30Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoHalloween is almost upon us! And like every year, Kate is always challenging Betsy to come up with some classic scares. This year, we've seen Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark adapted to the silver screen. Seems only natural to then pull out what many would consider to be Schwartz's other scary classic for kids. And, oh joy, it's part of the I Can Read series! What we had not counted on was that in 2017 Harper Collins re-illustrated the series. What to do? Well... why not do both versions? Original illustrator Dirk Zimmer originally hailed from Germany while current illustrator Victor Rivas lives in Barcelona. Who is scarier in the end? Will this be like that time Harper Collins re-illustrated Scary Stories with Brett Helquist instead of Stephen Gammell and the world went mad? Guess you'll just have to find out for yourself.
Show Notes:
Here are Kate's Grown-Up Things she liked:
First up the game Zombie Dice: https://www.amazon.com/SJG-131313-Zombie-Dice/dp/B003IKMR0U
Second up, a Zombie catnip toy you can make yourself and the link here goes to Kate's old and, frankly, amazing blog from 2014: http://katokula.blogspot.com/2014/03/zombie-catnip-toy.html
Betsy is serious. She LOVES the American Writers Museum of Chicago. No lie. When you all come to Chicago next (and for some of you that will be the next American Library Association conference in June) you must visit it: https://americanwritersmuseum.org/
For the full Show Notes, please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/10/28/review-of-the-day:-in-a-dark,-dark-room-by-alvin-schwartz/Halloween is almost upon us! And like every year,…Halloween is almost upon us! And like every year, Kate is always challenging Betsy to come up with some classic scares. This year, we've seen Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark adapted to the silver screen. Seems only natural to then pull out what many would consider to be Schwartz's other scary classic for kids. And, oh joy, it's part of the I Can Read series! What we had not counted on was that in 2017 Harper Collins re-illustrated the series. What to do? Well... why not do both versions? Original illustrator Dirk Zimmer originally hailed from Germany while current illustrator Victor Rivas lives in Barcelona. Who is scarier in the end? Will this be like that time Harper Collins re-illustrated Scary Stories with Brett Helquist instead of Stephen Gammell and the world went mad? Guess you'll just have to find out for yourself.
Show Notes:
Here are Kate's Grown-Up Things she liked:
First up the game Zombie Dice: https://www.amazon.com/SJG-131313-Zombie-Dice/dp/B003IKMR0U
Second up, a Zombie catnip toy you can make yourself and the link here goes to Kate's old and, frankly, amazing blog from 2014: http://katokula.blogspot.com/2014/03/zombie-catnip-toy.html
Betsy is serious. She LOVES the American Writers Museum of Chicago. No lie. When you all come to Chicago next (and for some of you that will be the next American Library Association conference in June) you must visit it: https://americanwritersmuseum.org/
For the full Show Notes, please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/10/28/review-of-the-day:-in-a-dark,-dark-room-by-alvin-schwartz/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/699387619Episode 108 - The Swallow and the Tom CatMon, 21 Oct 2019 03:32:30 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-108-the-swallow-and-the-tom-cat
00:35:21Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoWe have a special guest!! It was our esteemed delight and pleasure to host international superstar, picture book creator, Hans Christian Andersen Award winner, Roger Mello in this, the latest episode of our podcast! Now it had been a while since we'd done an international picture book. We do try to make an effort to look at what other countries would consider "classics", but it can be difficult to (A) determine what a country thinks of as a classic and (B) find translations here in the States. Fortunately we lucked out with this episode. We asked Roger what Brazilian classic Kate should read and he selected a book that not only got translated here (in 1982) but one where a copy was still available in Betsy's library's consortium. Whew!
Of course, the book is 96 pages long so Kate's read had to be a bit truncated. She read just the first tale in the book and the last one, and I do believe it worked out beautifully. Jorge Amado, of course, was the Brazilian novelist responsible for such serious novels about social justice as Cacao as well as more comic titles like Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands.
Show Notes:
Curious about the Hans Christian Andersen Medal? You can find more information about it here. The Americans that are currently nominated right now are Jacqueline Woodson and illustrator Allen Say: http://www.ibby.org/awards-activities/awards/hans-christian-andersen-awards/
Why was the book written by the great novelist Amado? According to the Kirkus review it was, "Originally written in 1948 as a birthday gift for Amado's infant son." And clearly that review journal wasn't the book's biggest fan: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/jorge-amado-4/the-swallow-and-the-tom-cat/
You can find the full Show Notes here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/10/21/fuse-8-n'-kate:-the-swallow-and-the-tom-cat-by-jorge-amado-with-special-guest-roger-mello!/(opens in a new tab)We have a special guest!! It was our esteemed del…We have a special guest!! It was our esteemed delight and pleasure to host international superstar, picture book creator, Hans Christian Andersen Award winner, Roger Mello in this, the latest episode of our podcast! Now it had been a while since we'd done an international picture book. We do try to make an effort to look at what other countries would consider "classics", but it can be difficult to (A) determine what a country thinks of as a classic and (B) find translations here in the States. Fortunately we lucked out with this episode. We asked Roger what Brazilian classic Kate should read and he selected a book that not only got translated here (in 1982) but one where a copy was still available in Betsy's library's consortium. Whew!
Of course, the book is 96 pages long so Kate's read had to be a bit truncated. She read just the first tale in the book and the last one, and I do believe it worked out beautifully. Jorge Amado, of course, was the Brazilian novelist responsible for such serious novels about social justice as Cacao as well as more comic titles like Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands.
Show Notes:
Curious about the Hans Christian Andersen Medal? You can find more information about it here. The Americans that are currently nominated right now are Jacqueline Woodson and illustrator Allen Say: http://www.ibby.org/awards-activities/awards/hans-christian-andersen-awards/
Why was the book written by the great novelist Amado? According to the Kirkus review it was, "Originally written in 1948 as a birthday gift for Amado's infant son." And clearly that review journal wasn't the book's biggest fan: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/jorge-amado-4/the-swallow-and-the-tom-cat/
You can find the full Show Notes here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/10/21/fuse-8-n'-kate:-the-swallow-and-the-tom-cat-by-jorge-amado-with-special-guest-roger-mello!/(opens in a new tab)tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/695087968Episode 107 - The Man Who Walked Between the TowersSun, 13 Oct 2019 15:08:32 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-107-the-man-who-walked-between-the-towers
00:30:38Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoIn memory of the great Mr. Gerstein we decided to do his best-known, most classicy classic title. Of course, by doing this title, it means that for the first time, in all of our history, we are doing a nonfiction picture book. Not a bad way to start out, eh? Have no fear, we'll be getting to the spooky Halloween fare soon enough, but first we wanted to pay an homage to one of children's literature's greats.
Show Notes:
- Quiz Question: Which Disney animated film begins with a shot of the Twin Towers?
- How old was Philippe Petit when he did this? We looked it up. He was about to turn 25.
- Here is the trailer for the documentary Man on Wire. I love that it includes the moment he balances the policeman's hat on his nose and then drops it onto his head.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cz6oddi0mts
- And here is the trailer for the biographical drama called The Walk. Looks like the supplemented the actual drama with some unnecessary dramatic flourishes. I like the shots though.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4W6byFcD5uE
The Weston Woods version of this book is read by Jake Gyllenhal and it's lovely. Here's a quick peek at it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-FzEGNsH8w
- Here is the $5 hand candle holder that Kate was discussing: https://www.target.com/p/halloween-votive-candle-holder-white-hyde-38-eek-boutique-8482/-/A-54381257?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&fndsrc=tgtao&CPNG=PLA_Seasonal%2BShopping_Brand&adgroup=SC_Seasonal&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=g&device=c&location=9021760&gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=Cj0KCQjwrMHsBRCIARIsAFgSeI1xsokVAK6dTL_gMtwT2pvEEmDgudLvHcE1HJdQPzdYd8YeK3-AoCEaAn9MEALw_wcB
For the full Show Notes please visit us at: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/10/14/fuse-8-n-kate-the-man-who-walked-between-the-towers-by-mordecai-gerstein/(opens in a new tab)In memory of the great Mr. Gerstein we decided to…In memory of the great Mr. Gerstein we decided to do his best-known, most classicy classic title. Of course, by doing this title, it means that for the first time, in all of our history, we are doing a nonfiction picture book. Not a bad way to start out, eh? Have no fear, we'll be getting to the spooky Halloween fare soon enough, but first we wanted to pay an homage to one of children's literature's greats.
Show Notes:
- Quiz Question: Which Disney animated film begins with a shot of the Twin Towers?
- How old was Philippe Petit when he did this? We looked it up. He was about to turn 25.
- Here is the trailer for the documentary Man on Wire. I love that it includes the moment he balances the policeman's hat on his nose and then drops it onto his head.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cz6oddi0mts
- And here is the trailer for the biographical drama called The Walk. Looks like the supplemented the actual drama with some unnecessary dramatic flourishes. I like the shots though.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4W6byFcD5uE
The Weston Woods version of this book is read by Jake Gyllenhal and it's lovely. Here's a quick peek at it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-FzEGNsH8w
- Here is the $5 hand candle holder that Kate was discussing: https://www.target.com/p/halloween-votive-candle-holder-white-hyde-38-eek-boutique-8482/-/A-54381257?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&fndsrc=tgtao&CPNG=PLA_Seasonal%2BShopping_Brand&adgroup=SC_Seasonal&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=g&device=c&location=9021760&gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=Cj0KCQjwrMHsBRCIARIsAFgSeI1xsokVAK6dTL_gMtwT2pvEEmDgudLvHcE1HJdQPzdYd8YeK3-AoCEaAn9MEALw_wcB
For the full Show Notes please visit us at: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/10/14/fuse-8-n-kate-the-man-who-walked-between-the-towers-by-mordecai-gerstein/(opens in a new tab)tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/692074618Episode 106 - Click, Clack, Moo Cows That TypeMon, 07 Oct 2019 03:12:13 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-106-click-clack-moo-cows-that-type
00:29:04Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoHow do you type with hooves? Would this book today involve the cows texting? What are the logistics of not giving milk and then proceeding to start up production again? Who's buying from the underground milk market? How do you strap a typewriter to a duck? Betsy and Kate are just full of questions with today's book. Kate comes up with the cruelest advice for Farmer Brown you've ever heard and Betsy gets to come up with fake sequel names to this story
Show Notes:
- As it happens, Betsy was not quite right when she said this book was "definitely older than 20 years old". It is, in fact, 19-years-old. It could not buy a drink in a bar if it wanted to.
Here is where we found the information about the right-wing talk show hosts finding this book too pro-union and anti-creationist: https://www.rightwingwatch.org/post/beware-the-insidious-agenda-of-click-clack-moo-cows-that-type/
This book came in at #39 on the Top 100 Picture Books Poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/06/01/top-100-picture-books-39-click-clack-moo-cows-that-type-by-doreen-cronin-illustrated-by-betsy-lewin/
Betsy other podcast that she mentions? It's the Story Seeds Podcast and she highly recommends that you listen to it with your older kids: https://www.storyseeds.co/
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/10/07/fuse-8-n-kate-click-clack-moo-by-doreen-cronin-betsy-lewin/How do you type with hooves? Would this book tod…How do you type with hooves? Would this book today involve the cows texting? What are the logistics of not giving milk and then proceeding to start up production again? Who's buying from the underground milk market? How do you strap a typewriter to a duck? Betsy and Kate are just full of questions with today's book. Kate comes up with the cruelest advice for Farmer Brown you've ever heard and Betsy gets to come up with fake sequel names to this story
Show Notes:
- As it happens, Betsy was not quite right when she said this book was "definitely older than 20 years old". It is, in fact, 19-years-old. It could not buy a drink in a bar if it wanted to.
Here is where we found the information about the right-wing talk show hosts finding this book too pro-union and anti-creationist: https://www.rightwingwatch.org/post/beware-the-insidious-agenda-of-click-clack-moo-cows-that-type/
This book came in at #39 on the Top 100 Picture Books Poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/06/01/top-100-picture-books-39-click-clack-moo-cows-that-type-by-doreen-cronin-illustrated-by-betsy-lewin/
Betsy other podcast that she mentions? It's the Story Seeds Podcast and she highly recommends that you listen to it with your older kids: https://www.storyseeds.co/
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/10/07/fuse-8-n-kate-click-clack-moo-by-doreen-cronin-betsy-lewin/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/688755940Episode 105 - I Want My Hat BackMon, 30 Sep 2019 03:49:07 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-105-i-want-my-hat-back
00:30:13Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoWe have a good good rule here at Fuse 8 n' Kate. Betsy and Kate do not judge any picture book that younger than 20 years of age. And with today's episode, Betsy broke that rule. She broke it hard. Clocking in at a mere 8 years of age, it's a bit premature to consider Klassen's best known title as a "classic" picture book or not. And yet, Betsy clearly could not help herself. In the course of things they discuss the fact that this book is essentially a school play, the speed of a bear, and the likelihood that the rabbit is, in fact, under the bear at the story's end.
Show Notes:
This book came in at #74 on the Top 100 picture book poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/05/21/top-100-picture-books-74-i-want-my-hat-back-by-jon-klassen/
Then there were lots of memes of this book out there: http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/i-want-my-hat-back
Here is the Re-Seussification Project Betsy alluded to, where Dan Santat redid The Cat in the Hat in the style of Jon Klassen: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/03/01/re-seussification-project-the-results/
Turns out the Remember Reading podcast mentioned this show because Betsy was a guest. She spoke on the episode about the beauty of Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark-ft-j-a-white-betsy-bird/id1447897366?i=1000446362118
Remember when Kate mentioned the Severus Snape song? You can listen to it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eax4oQb5p04
And here are the comics that show Dumbledore as a jerk. Good stuff: https://www.indy100.com/article/a-cartoonist-has-reimagined-dumbledore-as-a-jerk-and-its-hilarious--ZyxEIWFCT4e
For the full Show Notes, please visit us at: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/09/30/fuse-8-n-kate-i-want-my-hat-back-by-jon-klassen/We have a good good rule here at Fuse 8 n' Kate. …We have a good good rule here at Fuse 8 n' Kate. Betsy and Kate do not judge any picture book that younger than 20 years of age. And with today's episode, Betsy broke that rule. She broke it hard. Clocking in at a mere 8 years of age, it's a bit premature to consider Klassen's best known title as a "classic" picture book or not. And yet, Betsy clearly could not help herself. In the course of things they discuss the fact that this book is essentially a school play, the speed of a bear, and the likelihood that the rabbit is, in fact, under the bear at the story's end.
Show Notes:
This book came in at #74 on the Top 100 picture book poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/05/21/top-100-picture-books-74-i-want-my-hat-back-by-jon-klassen/
Then there were lots of memes of this book out there: http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/i-want-my-hat-back
Here is the Re-Seussification Project Betsy alluded to, where Dan Santat redid The Cat in the Hat in the style of Jon Klassen: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/03/01/re-seussification-project-the-results/
Turns out the Remember Reading podcast mentioned this show because Betsy was a guest. She spoke on the episode about the beauty of Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark-ft-j-a-white-betsy-bird/id1447897366?i=1000446362118
Remember when Kate mentioned the Severus Snape song? You can listen to it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eax4oQb5p04
And here are the comics that show Dumbledore as a jerk. Good stuff: https://www.indy100.com/article/a-cartoonist-has-reimagined-dumbledore-as-a-jerk-and-its-hilarious--ZyxEIWFCT4e
For the full Show Notes, please visit us at: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/09/30/fuse-8-n-kate-i-want-my-hat-back-by-jon-klassen/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/685322035Episode 104 - The Carrot SeedMon, 23 Sep 2019 03:25:23 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-104-the-carrot-seed
00:30:47Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoBetsy had been avoiding today's book, not because it isn't famous enough, but because it's on the simple side. 101 words simple, in fact. The sisters get a little silly in the course of things, but boy do they learn all kinds of things! Lawnmower parenting! How had Betsy not known about it all these years? Kate decides that the boy is secretly working for Monsanto. Betsy defends the parents, which Kate didn't see coming. Kate learns all about the germination cycle of carrots. And Betsy compares the boy to Buster Keaton.
Which is right.
Show Notes:
Betsy doesn't mention it on the podcast but this book came in at #100 on the Top 100 Picture Books Poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/05/16/top-100-picture-books-100-the-carrot-seed-by-ruth-krauss-illustrated-by-crockett-johnson/
In his essay Ruth Krauss and Me, Maurice Sendak</a> praises ‘that perfect picture book, The Carrot Seed (Harper), the granddaddy of all picture books in America, a small revolution of a book that permanently transformed the face of children’s book publishing. The Carrot Seed, with not a word or a picture out of place, is dramatic, vivid, precise, concise in every detail. It springs fresh from the real world of children’.” Read more here: http://www.k-state.edu/english/nelp/purple/bibliography.html#sendak.krauss_and_me
And finally, here's the Carrot Seed song, so popular with many a storytime around this great nation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHxLfBSU-9E
For the full Show Notes, please visit with us at http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/09/23/fuse-8-n-kate-the-carrot-seed-by-ruth-krauss-ill-crockett-johnson/Betsy had been avoiding today's book, not because…Betsy had been avoiding today's book, not because it isn't famous enough, but because it's on the simple side. 101 words simple, in fact. The sisters get a little silly in the course of things, but boy do they learn all kinds of things! Lawnmower parenting! How had Betsy not known about it all these years? Kate decides that the boy is secretly working for Monsanto. Betsy defends the parents, which Kate didn't see coming. Kate learns all about the germination cycle of carrots. And Betsy compares the boy to Buster Keaton.
Which is right.
Show Notes:
Betsy doesn't mention it on the podcast but this book came in at #100 on the Top 100 Picture Books Poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/05/16/top-100-picture-books-100-the-carrot-seed-by-ruth-krauss-illustrated-by-crockett-johnson/
In his essay Ruth Krauss and Me, Maurice Sendak</a> praises ‘that perfect picture book, The Carrot Seed (Harper), the granddaddy of all picture books in America, a small revolution of a book that permanently transformed the face of children’s book publishing. The Carrot Seed, with not a word or a picture out of place, is dramatic, vivid, precise, concise in every detail. It springs fresh from the real world of children’.” Read more here: http://www.k-state.edu/english/nelp/purple/bibliography.html#sendak.krauss_and_me
And finally, here's the Carrot Seed song, so popular with many a storytime around this great nation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHxLfBSU-9E
For the full Show Notes, please visit with us at http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/09/23/fuse-8-n-kate-the-carrot-seed-by-ruth-krauss-ill-crockett-johnson/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/681694592Episode 103 - SwimmyMon, 16 Sep 2019 03:46:55 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-103-swimmy
00:30:04Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoBetsy is very proud of herself. She managed to go this entire episode of the podcast without mentioning Rainbow Fish once. She and Kate do discuss Frederick briefly, but how can you not? In this episode Betsy discovers that no one has ever written a fun background story on how Leo Lionni came up with this book. Instead the sisters discuss whether or not Lionni was good at making art with cut potatoes, whether fish have eyebrows, and how hard it is to say the term "Mom pun" repeatedly.
If you would like to see the Reading Rainbow where Tyne Daley reads Amazing Grace, here is the episode: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6f5eek
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/09/16/fuse-8-n-kate-swimmy-by-leo-lionni/Betsy is very proud of herself. She managed to go…Betsy is very proud of herself. She managed to go this entire episode of the podcast without mentioning Rainbow Fish once. She and Kate do discuss Frederick briefly, but how can you not? In this episode Betsy discovers that no one has ever written a fun background story on how Leo Lionni came up with this book. Instead the sisters discuss whether or not Lionni was good at making art with cut potatoes, whether fish have eyebrows, and how hard it is to say the term "Mom pun" repeatedly.
If you would like to see the Reading Rainbow where Tyne Daley reads Amazing Grace, here is the episode: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6f5eek
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/09/16/fuse-8-n-kate-swimmy-by-leo-lionni/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/678337776Episode 102 - The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs!Mon, 09 Sep 2019 03:58:36 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-102-the-true-story-of-the-3-little-pigs
00:28:29Betsy Bird and Kate Ramseyno"Nobody wants your bunny snot cake, buddy."
Betsy and Kate had done The Stinky Cheese Man on their podcast, but that still left a great big wolf-shaped hole in the canon. Time for Scieszka/Smith Part 2: Electric Boogaloo. In this episode Kate decides to take the Wolf at his word and, as you might expect, she find some holes in his defense. This guy would never be able to hold it together if that woman cross-examined him on the stand. As you might imagine, the sisters have a lot of fun with this one.
Show Notes:
Betsy just thinks Binge Boxes are a neat concept. If you'd like to see them in action, check out this posting from the Marion County Public Library System: https://mcpls.org/bingebox/
For the record, if you want a killer authentic version of The Three Little Pigs (though it cuts out the weird apple picking/fair going parts) try reading Yummy! by Lucy Cousins. http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2009/07/30/review-of-the-day-yummy-by-lucy-cousins/
Betsy didn't mention it, but she just loves this Sesame Street version of the story. Maybe that's just because she's House of Cards fan, though.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92NXMtVtv8o
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/09/09/fuse-8-n-kate-the-true-story-of-the-3-little-pigs-by-jon-scieszka-and-lane-smith"Nobody wants your bunny snot cake, buddy."
Bets…"Nobody wants your bunny snot cake, buddy."
Betsy and Kate had done The Stinky Cheese Man on their podcast, but that still left a great big wolf-shaped hole in the canon. Time for Scieszka/Smith Part 2: Electric Boogaloo. In this episode Kate decides to take the Wolf at his word and, as you might expect, she find some holes in his defense. This guy would never be able to hold it together if that woman cross-examined him on the stand. As you might imagine, the sisters have a lot of fun with this one.
Show Notes:
Betsy just thinks Binge Boxes are a neat concept. If you'd like to see them in action, check out this posting from the Marion County Public Library System: https://mcpls.org/bingebox/
For the record, if you want a killer authentic version of The Three Little Pigs (though it cuts out the weird apple picking/fair going parts) try reading Yummy! by Lucy Cousins. http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2009/07/30/review-of-the-day-yummy-by-lucy-cousins/
Betsy didn't mention it, but she just loves this Sesame Street version of the story. Maybe that's just because she's House of Cards fan, though.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92NXMtVtv8o
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/09/09/fuse-8-n-kate-the-true-story-of-the-3-little-pigs-by-jon-scieszka-and-lane-smithtag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/674373815Episode 101 - Amazing GraceMon, 02 Sep 2019 03:38:16 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-101-amazing-grace
00:30:10Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoA British book just snuck into the pack. When Betsy picked it up from the library for Kate to read, she was positive that what they had on their hands was an American title through and through. Not as such. Mary Hoffman, a white British woman, wrote this back in 1991. It was also a Kate Greenaway Honor book when it was released, which is impressive. This book is not without its controversial elements, but in Betsy's library the only edition available was the reprinted 2015 edition. And, as you will see, that is probably for the best.
Show Notes:
- For a fun time, Google "Pantomimes about Aladdin" sometime. You will subsequently be taken to a wide world of very British holiday oddities.
I love this kid with his hand only partly up. Like he wasn't paying attention and isn't sure what everyone's volunteering for, but he doesn't want to be left out.
As mentioned, back in 2015 Amazing Grace was re-released, but the American editions (not the British editions?) quietly excised the illustration of Grace as Hiawatha. No announcement was made at the time. On her blog, Debbie Reese has the complete rundown and history of the controversy surrounding the image and the silence that accompanied its change. Mind you, this change might have appeared earlier. As Roger Sutton says in the comment section of Debbie's piece, "The U.S. edition of Amazing Grace has always been Dial. But what i don't know is whether the elimination of the Hiawatha picture happened with this anniversary edition or if the (American) publisher had removed it before--it's a book that's been through many years and printings, so this change might not be new. I just don't know." https://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/2015/10/big-news-about-hoffmans-amazing-grace.html
The book that's a lot like this one that's out this year is Not Quite Snow White by Ashley Franklin, illustrated by Ebony Glenn. When Betsy saw it this year she wondered if Amazing Grace had just been completely forgotten.
If you would like to hear what a Neanderthal sounds like, check out the RadioLab episode Asking for a Friend: https://www.wnycstudios.org/story/asking-friend
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/09/02/fuse-8-n-kate-amazing-grace-by-mary-hoffman-ill-caroline-binch/A British book just snuck into the pack. When Bet…A British book just snuck into the pack. When Betsy picked it up from the library for Kate to read, she was positive that what they had on their hands was an American title through and through. Not as such. Mary Hoffman, a white British woman, wrote this back in 1991. It was also a Kate Greenaway Honor book when it was released, which is impressive. This book is not without its controversial elements, but in Betsy's library the only edition available was the reprinted 2015 edition. And, as you will see, that is probably for the best.
Show Notes:
- For a fun time, Google "Pantomimes about Aladdin" sometime. You will subsequently be taken to a wide world of very British holiday oddities.
I love this kid with his hand only partly up. Like he wasn't paying attention and isn't sure what everyone's volunteering for, but he doesn't want to be left out.
As mentioned, back in 2015 Amazing Grace was re-released, but the American editions (not the British editions?) quietly excised the illustration of Grace as Hiawatha. No announcement was made at the time. On her blog, Debbie Reese has the complete rundown and history of the controversy surrounding the image and the silence that accompanied its change. Mind you, this change might have appeared earlier. As Roger Sutton says in the comment section of Debbie's piece, "The U.S. edition of Amazing Grace has always been Dial. But what i don't know is whether the elimination of the Hiawatha picture happened with this anniversary edition or if the (American) publisher had removed it before--it's a book that's been through many years and printings, so this change might not be new. I just don't know." https://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/2015/10/big-news-about-hoffmans-amazing-grace.html
The book that's a lot like this one that's out this year is Not Quite Snow White by Ashley Franklin, illustrated by Ebony Glenn. When Betsy saw it this year she wondered if Amazing Grace had just been completely forgotten.
If you would like to hear what a Neanderthal sounds like, check out the RadioLab episode Asking for a Friend: https://www.wnycstudios.org/story/asking-friend
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/09/02/fuse-8-n-kate-amazing-grace-by-mary-hoffman-ill-caroline-binch/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/671031623Episode 100.5 - Minisode with Phil NelMon, 26 Aug 2019 03:13:27 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-1005-minisode-with-phil-nel
00:29:15Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoSummer is almost over, the children are off to school again, and those of us able to take last minute vacations are doing so with gusto. All this is to say that we figured now was a perfect time to release our first "minisode". We came up with the "minisode" name when we thought it would be shorter than our usual length. But then Betsy got it into her head to talk to renowned children's literature scholar Phil Nel for our first minisode and, naturally, it blossomed into a full-blown episode length. Still, when you hear all the things Phil has to say, you'll have to agree that it was worth it.
In this episode, Phil and Betsy discuss our previous episode regarding The Cat in the Hat. Phil is perhaps the best person to speak to on the subject, having edited The Annotated Cat in the Hat as well as writing the book Was the Cat in the Hat Black?Summer is almost over, the children are off to sc…Summer is almost over, the children are off to school again, and those of us able to take last minute vacations are doing so with gusto. All this is to say that we figured now was a perfect time to release our first "minisode". We came up with the "minisode" name when we thought it would be shorter than our usual length. But then Betsy got it into her head to talk to renowned children's literature scholar Phil Nel for our first minisode and, naturally, it blossomed into a full-blown episode length. Still, when you hear all the things Phil has to say, you'll have to agree that it was worth it.
In this episode, Phil and Betsy discuss our previous episode regarding The Cat in the Hat. Phil is perhaps the best person to speak to on the subject, having edited The Annotated Cat in the Hat as well as writing the book Was the Cat in the Hat Black?tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/668841596Episode 100 - The Cat in the HatWed, 21 Aug 2019 05:09:50 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-100-the-cat-in-the-hat
00:30:34Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoIt's the 100th episode! Woohoo! After all this time it's finally come. The challenge of this episode of the podcast was to come up with a book for #100 that is widely known but that Betsy and Kate hadn't done already. And this book was waiting in the wings all along. Why? Because thanks to a great deal of scholarship out there on the topic, the "Cat" is no longer the simple beloved character he once was considered to be. This isn't an easy book to do, but Betsy and Kate manage it somehow.
Show Notes:
- Speaking of Cat in the Hat movies, let us not forget that some brave soul out there combined the trailer for IT with the Mike Myers version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztxEHtrgTRg
So what does the mom of this book think of all of this? All is explained in a New York Times piece called The Mom From 'The Cat in the Hat' Finally Speaks: https://parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/07/05/the-mom-from-the-cat-in-the-hat-finally-speaks/
Books Mentioned on This Episode: The Annotated Cat in the Hat: Under the Hats of Seuss and His Cats by Phil Nel and Was the Cat in the Hat Black? The Hidden Racism of Children's Literature and the Need for Diverse Books, also by Phil Nel.
As mentioned on the show, well worth reading is Jerry Griswold's piece on Medium called James Marshall, We Love You: https://medium.com/@jerrygriswold/james-marshall-we-love-you-ade0af961a7f.
Also look for the pieceThe Tiger Who Came to Tea Earns Stripes With an All-Star Cast: https://www.animationmagazine.net/tv/the-tiger-who-came-to-tea-earns-stripes-with-all-star-cast/
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/08/21/fuse-8-n-kate-the-cat-in-the-hat-by-dr-seuss/It's the 100th episode! Woohoo! After all this ti…It's the 100th episode! Woohoo! After all this time it's finally come. The challenge of this episode of the podcast was to come up with a book for #100 that is widely known but that Betsy and Kate hadn't done already. And this book was waiting in the wings all along. Why? Because thanks to a great deal of scholarship out there on the topic, the "Cat" is no longer the simple beloved character he once was considered to be. This isn't an easy book to do, but Betsy and Kate manage it somehow.
Show Notes:
- Speaking of Cat in the Hat movies, let us not forget that some brave soul out there combined the trailer for IT with the Mike Myers version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztxEHtrgTRg
So what does the mom of this book think of all of this? All is explained in a New York Times piece called The Mom From 'The Cat in the Hat' Finally Speaks: https://parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/07/05/the-mom-from-the-cat-in-the-hat-finally-speaks/
Books Mentioned on This Episode: The Annotated Cat in the Hat: Under the Hats of Seuss and His Cats by Phil Nel and Was the Cat in the Hat Black? The Hidden Racism of Children's Literature and the Need for Diverse Books, also by Phil Nel.
As mentioned on the show, well worth reading is Jerry Griswold's piece on Medium called James Marshall, We Love You: https://medium.com/@jerrygriswold/james-marshall-we-love-you-ade0af961a7f.
Also look for the pieceThe Tiger Who Came to Tea Earns Stripes With an All-Star Cast: https://www.animationmagazine.net/tv/the-tiger-who-came-to-tea-earns-stripes-with-all-star-cast/
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/08/21/fuse-8-n-kate-the-cat-in-the-hat-by-dr-seuss/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/664546313Episode 99 - Dinosaurs DivorceMon, 12 Aug 2019 04:14:56 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-99-dinosaurs-divorce
00:29:14Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoThis week's challenge from Kate: Deliver unto her a "classic picture book about divorce". So Betsy conferred with her fellow librarians and they all agreed that there is really only one that would fit the bill: A little number from 1986. There's a number of reasons for this selection. The book remains popular to this day. This book is still in print (have they updated the terms since its original publication? This is unclear). And, as Kate points out, this is clearly more a guide than something you might read cover-to-cover. So how has it aged over the years?
Show Notes:
- Here is the website of Ms. Laurene Krasny Brown. And here are her current and upcoming shows. Check one out if you have a chance: http://www.laurenekrasnybrown.com/
- To answer the question of whether or not divorce is up or down since 1986, we found this article from TIME Magazine, published last year: https://time.com/5434949/divorce-rate-children-marriage-benefits/
Here is a list of Recommended Divorce Picture Books, for those of you interested in books that are slightly more recent:
- Two Old Potatoes and Me by John Coy, ill. Carolyn Fisher
- Fred Stays With Me by Nancy Coffelt, ill. Tricia Tusa
- Here and There by Tamara Ellis Smith, ill. Evelyn Daviddi
- Why Do Families Change by Jillian Roberts, ill. Cindy Revell
- Living With Mom and Living With Dad by Melanie Walsh
For the complete Show Notes, please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/08/12/fuse-8-n-kate-dinosaurs-divorce-by-laurene-krasny-brown-ill-marc-brown/This week's challenge from Kate: Deliver unto her…This week's challenge from Kate: Deliver unto her a "classic picture book about divorce". So Betsy conferred with her fellow librarians and they all agreed that there is really only one that would fit the bill: A little number from 1986. There's a number of reasons for this selection. The book remains popular to this day. This book is still in print (have they updated the terms since its original publication? This is unclear). And, as Kate points out, this is clearly more a guide than something you might read cover-to-cover. So how has it aged over the years?
Show Notes:
- Here is the website of Ms. Laurene Krasny Brown. And here are her current and upcoming shows. Check one out if you have a chance: http://www.laurenekrasnybrown.com/
- To answer the question of whether or not divorce is up or down since 1986, we found this article from TIME Magazine, published last year: https://time.com/5434949/divorce-rate-children-marriage-benefits/
Here is a list of Recommended Divorce Picture Books, for those of you interested in books that are slightly more recent:
- Two Old Potatoes and Me by John Coy, ill. Carolyn Fisher
- Fred Stays With Me by Nancy Coffelt, ill. Tricia Tusa
- Here and There by Tamara Ellis Smith, ill. Evelyn Daviddi
- Why Do Families Change by Jillian Roberts, ill. Cindy Revell
- Living With Mom and Living With Dad by Melanie Walsh
For the complete Show Notes, please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/08/12/fuse-8-n-kate-dinosaurs-divorce-by-laurene-krasny-brown-ill-marc-brown/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/661230131Episode 98 - Sam and the FireflyMon, 05 Aug 2019 04:02:43 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-98-sam-and-the-firefly
00:30:58Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoBetsy had been meaning to do this, Eastman's third most famous easy book, and the first one he ever did on his own, for a while. Now, for years Betsy has believed that Eastman has illustrated "night" better than most artists. After this recording she feels justified in having felt this way.
Show Notes:
If you'd like to see all the ratings of this podcast, they are now avaiable for viewing at https://www.betsybirdbooks.com/lesson-plan
Curious about Kate's mention of Can Can Wonderland? You learn a lot more about it at https://www.cancanwonderland.com/
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/08/05/fuse-8-n-kate-sam-and-the-firefly-by-p-d-eastman/Betsy had been meaning to do this, Eastman's thir…Betsy had been meaning to do this, Eastman's third most famous easy book, and the first one he ever did on his own, for a while. Now, for years Betsy has believed that Eastman has illustrated "night" better than most artists. After this recording she feels justified in having felt this way.
Show Notes:
If you'd like to see all the ratings of this podcast, they are now avaiable for viewing at https://www.betsybirdbooks.com/lesson-plan
Curious about Kate's mention of Can Can Wonderland? You learn a lot more about it at https://www.cancanwonderland.com/
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/08/05/fuse-8-n-kate-sam-and-the-firefly-by-p-d-eastman/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/657879566Episode 97 - George and MarthaMon, 29 Jul 2019 03:32:51 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-97-george-and-martha
00:30:24Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoALERT! Before we begin, we'd like to make note that this is number 97 of our podcast so far. To celebrate our upcoming 100th we have (A) Created a Facebook page(found at https://www.facebook.com/Fuse8Kate) and (B) On Monday, August 5th at 8 p.m. CST we will record a Facebook Live episode of episode #100. So in case you've ever wanted to see the images of a "classic" picture book as Kate discovers them, now you can.
This week, we wonder something. Is Martha the better hippo? Hard to determine with a single George and Martha book, but we have some serious opinions on the matter. This week we discuss methods of hiding food you don't want to eat (when you're a grown-up), how "The Tub" was a pre-#MeToo story, and why Rev. Buck McTooth is truly a Doctor of Divinity. Listen for the great Kate line: "Look the woman may be vain but she makes you food, and she doesn't spy on YOU during YOUR private moments, so let her have her mirror!" She also notices that the book ends with Martha saying that friends tell you the truth, and the first story was about how hard it was for George to tell Martha the truth. That's how you do it, James. That's how you do it.</p>
Show Notes:
This book clocked in at #48 on the Top 100 Picture Books Poll back in the day: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/05/29/top-100-picture-books-48-george-and-martha-by-james-marshall/
Here is the Tig Notaro show Kate was referring to. We found the first episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OO1Sfb-j9FU
For the full Show Notes please visit us at http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/07/29/fuse-8-n-kate-george-and-martha-by-james-marshall/ALERT! Before we begin, we'd like to make note th…ALERT! Before we begin, we'd like to make note that this is number 97 of our podcast so far. To celebrate our upcoming 100th we have (A) Created a Facebook page(found at https://www.facebook.com/Fuse8Kate) and (B) On Monday, August 5th at 8 p.m. CST we will record a Facebook Live episode of episode #100. So in case you've ever wanted to see the images of a "classic" picture book as Kate discovers them, now you can.
This week, we wonder something. Is Martha the better hippo? Hard to determine with a single George and Martha book, but we have some serious opinions on the matter. This week we discuss methods of hiding food you don't want to eat (when you're a grown-up), how "The Tub" was a pre-#MeToo story, and why Rev. Buck McTooth is truly a Doctor of Divinity. Listen for the great Kate line: "Look the woman may be vain but she makes you food, and she doesn't spy on YOU during YOUR private moments, so let her have her mirror!" She also notices that the book ends with Martha saying that friends tell you the truth, and the first story was about how hard it was for George to tell Martha the truth. That's how you do it, James. That's how you do it.</p>
Show Notes:
This book clocked in at #48 on the Top 100 Picture Books Poll back in the day: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/05/29/top-100-picture-books-48-george-and-martha-by-james-marshall/
Here is the Tig Notaro show Kate was referring to. We found the first episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OO1Sfb-j9FU
For the full Show Notes please visit us at http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/07/29/fuse-8-n-kate-george-and-martha-by-james-marshall/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/654555023Episode 96 - The Poky Little PuppyMon, 22 Jul 2019 02:55:37 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-96-the-poky-little-puppy
00:30:07Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoIt seems very odd to us that one of the most commercially successful children's books to ever be published in the United States has an almost entirely obscure author to its name. The mystery of Janette Sebring Lowrey hangs over our latest episode of this podcast. Neither Kate nor Betsy had ever read this book before, and yet it bragged back in 2001 of having sold nearly 15 million copies. The illustrator's wife even joked that the artist was pleased that he'd given the Bible a "run for its money". But is it actually any good? We consider The Poky Little Puppy on all his roly-poly glory.
Show Notes:
You could have a lot of fun reading the Gabriel Roth Slate article Why So Poky? The Scourge of Terrible Canonical Children's Books. Seemed pertinent to our podcast, don't you think? https://slate.com/culture/2015/06/the-poky-little-puppy-and-other-awful-canonical-childrens-books.html
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/07/22/fuse-8-n-kate-the-poky-little-puppy-by-janette-sebring-lowrey-ill-gustaf-tenggren/It seems very odd to us that one of the most comm…It seems very odd to us that one of the most commercially successful children's books to ever be published in the United States has an almost entirely obscure author to its name. The mystery of Janette Sebring Lowrey hangs over our latest episode of this podcast. Neither Kate nor Betsy had ever read this book before, and yet it bragged back in 2001 of having sold nearly 15 million copies. The illustrator's wife even joked that the artist was pleased that he'd given the Bible a "run for its money". But is it actually any good? We consider The Poky Little Puppy on all his roly-poly glory.
Show Notes:
You could have a lot of fun reading the Gabriel Roth Slate article Why So Poky? The Scourge of Terrible Canonical Children's Books. Seemed pertinent to our podcast, don't you think? https://slate.com/culture/2015/06/the-poky-little-puppy-and-other-awful-canonical-childrens-books.html
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/07/22/fuse-8-n-kate-the-poky-little-puppy-by-janette-sebring-lowrey-ill-gustaf-tenggren/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/651254333Episode 95 - StevieMon, 15 Jul 2019 04:19:02 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-95-stevie
00:29:00Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoLists of "classic" picture books are often white white white, with the occasional racist inclusion. That's why I'm always on the lookout for picture books from the past that could be deemed "classic" and come from a variety of different perspectives and voices. When it occurred to Betsy the other day that she and Kate hadn't done Stevie yet on this show, she was a little mad at herself. It wasn't that the show hadn't done a Steptoe before (see: Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters) but this was the book that put the man on the map. And, as you will see, it became a huge deal.
Show Notes
Here is the editorial in Horn Book where Linda Sue Park points out that people have been doing the work to bring out children's books from a wide range of points of view for decades. https://www.hbook.com/?detailStory=editorial-try-to-remember-july-august-2019
Merriam-Webster defines "hobbledehoy" as "an awkward gawky youth." Nailed it, Betsy.
What are mickies and marshmallows in the park? A little help, folks.
You can read the kooky Kirkus review of the book here. What on EARTH is the only painting in the book doesn't work?!? https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/john-steptoe/stevie
As Betsy mentions, here is Gordon (Gordon with hair) on the Sesame Street episode from 1969 where he reads the book. Actor Matt Robinson's reading is amazing. We could watch this over and over all day. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpbnKOlkjyc
Here is the blog post from Tales of an Elementary School Librarian called Waning Crescents and Wild Things</a> that discusses the changes of the moon in Where the Wild Things Are: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpbnKOlkjyc
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/07/15/fuse-8-n-kate-stevie-by-john-steptoe/Lists of "classic" picture books are often white …Lists of "classic" picture books are often white white white, with the occasional racist inclusion. That's why I'm always on the lookout for picture books from the past that could be deemed "classic" and come from a variety of different perspectives and voices. When it occurred to Betsy the other day that she and Kate hadn't done Stevie yet on this show, she was a little mad at herself. It wasn't that the show hadn't done a Steptoe before (see: Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters) but this was the book that put the man on the map. And, as you will see, it became a huge deal.
Show Notes
Here is the editorial in Horn Book where Linda Sue Park points out that people have been doing the work to bring out children's books from a wide range of points of view for decades. https://www.hbook.com/?detailStory=editorial-try-to-remember-july-august-2019
Merriam-Webster defines "hobbledehoy" as "an awkward gawky youth." Nailed it, Betsy.
What are mickies and marshmallows in the park? A little help, folks.
You can read the kooky Kirkus review of the book here. What on EARTH is the only painting in the book doesn't work?!? https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/john-steptoe/stevie
As Betsy mentions, here is Gordon (Gordon with hair) on the Sesame Street episode from 1969 where he reads the book. Actor Matt Robinson's reading is amazing. We could watch this over and over all day. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpbnKOlkjyc
Here is the blog post from Tales of an Elementary School Librarian called Waning Crescents and Wild Things</a> that discusses the changes of the moon in Where the Wild Things Are: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpbnKOlkjyc
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/07/15/fuse-8-n-kate-stevie-by-john-steptoe/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/647744043Episode 94 - ShrekMon, 08 Jul 2019 04:38:00 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-94-shrek
00:31:37Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoMeet this week's special guest star, Lucy Knisley! To our infinite delight, when asked what book she'd like to do for the podcast she selected one we'd never done. Today's magnificent title is Shrek! We get to talk about whether or not Shrek is actually Superman, how the succulent wedding bouquet was ahead of its time, and what this book has in common with the film US.
Show Notes:
Here is the Salon article "Shrek" Is Not Shrek: https://www.salon.com/2001/05/24/anti_shrek/
While we were unable to find the 1996 Children's Circle Video "The William Steig Library", we were able to find this brief interview with the man in which he says he's not a good illustrator. Suuuuuuuure, buddy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2k8TiUftKF0
Extra points to Macmillan for getting Stanley Tucci to do the audiobook: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmUC7nsrzlg
The two ramen related books that are out in 2019 that are mentioned on the podcast are Let's Make Ramen by Hugh Amano and Sarah Becan and Magic Ramen: The Story of Momofuku Ando is by Andrea Wang, illustrated by Kana Urbanowicz.
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/07/08/fuse-8-n-kate-shrek-by-william-steig-with-special-guest-lucy-knisley/
<!-- /wp:list -->Meet this week's special guest star, Lucy Knisley…Meet this week's special guest star, Lucy Knisley! To our infinite delight, when asked what book she'd like to do for the podcast she selected one we'd never done. Today's magnificent title is Shrek! We get to talk about whether or not Shrek is actually Superman, how the succulent wedding bouquet was ahead of its time, and what this book has in common with the film US.
Show Notes:
Here is the Salon article "Shrek" Is Not Shrek: https://www.salon.com/2001/05/24/anti_shrek/
While we were unable to find the 1996 Children's Circle Video "The William Steig Library", we were able to find this brief interview with the man in which he says he's not a good illustrator. Suuuuuuuure, buddy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2k8TiUftKF0
Extra points to Macmillan for getting Stanley Tucci to do the audiobook: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmUC7nsrzlg
The two ramen related books that are out in 2019 that are mentioned on the podcast are Let's Make Ramen by Hugh Amano and Sarah Becan and Magic Ramen: The Story of Momofuku Ando is by Andrea Wang, illustrated by Kana Urbanowicz.
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/07/08/fuse-8-n-kate-shrek-by-william-steig-with-special-guest-lucy-knisley/
<!-- /wp:list -->tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/644510655Episode 93 - Where the Wild Things AreMon, 01 Jul 2019 04:15:51 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-93-where-the-wild-things-are
00:30:58Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoAt last. After 93 episodes, Kate and Betsy have finally come face-to-face with the great Sendak masterpiece. Why did we decide to do the book today, rather than wait until we hit the 100th episode mark? Because, my friends, today is an auspicious day in and of itself. Today Fuse 8 n' Kate the podcast officially becomes a School Library Journal property. You won't see any changes on your end, but believe us, we've been cleaning up our act a bit. Our episodes, you may have noticed, are now a tight 30 minutes. We'll be having more guest stars as well, which should be fun.
But for today's book, we finally hit the title that appeared at #1 on Betsy's Top 100 Picture Books poll, both times that she conducted it. Does it deserve its everlasting fame and glory? Find out for yourself as Kate and Betsy pick the darn thing apart. And believe us, there is a special kind of challenge in finding new things to say about this old chestnut.
Show Notes:
- Here is something Betsy wrote up when this book appeared as #1 on her poll:
"In terms of the scary factor (which is to say, whether kids would end up traumatized by the book) Nordstrom has this to say on the subject: “I think this book can frighten only a neurotic child or a neurotic adult.” Later in Dear Genius (the collection of her letters) there’s an amusing note from 1974 from Ursula to Sendak where she mentions that Fran Manushkin wants to know if Sendak will be changing the last word in the book. Says Nordstrom, “As you know, new plates are being made and before the new edition comes out we wonder if you want to change the last word from ‘hot’ to ‘warm.’ I can’t for the life of me remember the history of all this but I believe we heard from a couple of children (or their rotten parents) that ‘and it was still warm’ would be better than ‘and it was still hot’ because children don’t like hot foot [sic]. Listen, have you ever had such great editorial comment in your life?” For some reason I like this little passage very very much, though “hot” is clearly the superior word."
- Here is the 1983 CGI clip of the movie that was never made from this book: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-EpaPsJe-c
At one point I mention a great site called Terrible Yellow Eyes which solicited unique Wild Things art from a variety of different artists. It hasn't been updated in years but it's still out there for you to see: http://www.terribleyelloweyes.com/
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/07/01/fuse-8-n-kate-where-the-wild-things-are-by-maurice-sendak/At last. After 93 episodes, Kate and Betsy have f…At last. After 93 episodes, Kate and Betsy have finally come face-to-face with the great Sendak masterpiece. Why did we decide to do the book today, rather than wait until we hit the 100th episode mark? Because, my friends, today is an auspicious day in and of itself. Today Fuse 8 n' Kate the podcast officially becomes a School Library Journal property. You won't see any changes on your end, but believe us, we've been cleaning up our act a bit. Our episodes, you may have noticed, are now a tight 30 minutes. We'll be having more guest stars as well, which should be fun.
But for today's book, we finally hit the title that appeared at #1 on Betsy's Top 100 Picture Books poll, both times that she conducted it. Does it deserve its everlasting fame and glory? Find out for yourself as Kate and Betsy pick the darn thing apart. And believe us, there is a special kind of challenge in finding new things to say about this old chestnut.
Show Notes:
- Here is something Betsy wrote up when this book appeared as #1 on her poll:
"In terms of the scary factor (which is to say, whether kids would end up traumatized by the book) Nordstrom has this to say on the subject: “I think this book can frighten only a neurotic child or a neurotic adult.” Later in Dear Genius (the collection of her letters) there’s an amusing note from 1974 from Ursula to Sendak where she mentions that Fran Manushkin wants to know if Sendak will be changing the last word in the book. Says Nordstrom, “As you know, new plates are being made and before the new edition comes out we wonder if you want to change the last word from ‘hot’ to ‘warm.’ I can’t for the life of me remember the history of all this but I believe we heard from a couple of children (or their rotten parents) that ‘and it was still warm’ would be better than ‘and it was still hot’ because children don’t like hot foot [sic]. Listen, have you ever had such great editorial comment in your life?” For some reason I like this little passage very very much, though “hot” is clearly the superior word."
- Here is the 1983 CGI clip of the movie that was never made from this book: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-EpaPsJe-c
At one point I mention a great site called Terrible Yellow Eyes which solicited unique Wild Things art from a variety of different artists. It hasn't been updated in years but it's still out there for you to see: http://www.terribleyelloweyes.com/
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/07/01/fuse-8-n-kate-where-the-wild-things-are-by-maurice-sendak/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/641683197Episode 92 - TuesdayTue, 25 Jun 2019 04:15:40 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-92-tuesday
00:29:28Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoWhile normally the podcast posts its episodes on Mondays, it seemed that for this book, of all books, a Tuesday debut was the most appropriate. When our hosts' mother suggested they do a David Wiesner title, specifically this one, Betsy pooh-poohed her. Silly mother. Surely they'd already done it. Turns out, not so much. So it was with great joy that Betsy handed it over to Kate. In this episode you'll get to hear Betsy's dead-on theremin imitation (which sounds oddly similar to her playing-the-saw imitation), as well as discussions of whether or not these are frogs AND toads, what happens if you loose your lilypad, and the sad fate of the little old woman in front of the TV.
Show Notes:
Go to David Wiesner's site for further Tuesday information here: http://www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/authors/wiesner/books/books_tues.shtml#
Read his Caldecott acceptance speech: http://www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/authors/wiesner/bio/bio3_cald.shtml
It came in at #24 on the Top 100 Picture Books poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/06/11/top-100-picture-books-24-tuesday-by-david-wiesner/
As it turns out, and this was a surprise to me, the short film they made of the book is shockingly beautiful. The animation is above par and the background music in particular is quite enchanting. It was created by the "Music and Animation Collection of Paul McCartney". Consider it a surprising treat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IV5LOHdrdP8
"Amelia Bedelia turns passive aggression into a kind of art." We do highly recommend the New Yorker piece he Secret Rebellion of Amelia Bedelia by Sarah Blackwood. A reinterpretation of something people have ignored and disregarded for years. : https://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/the-secret-rebellion-of-amelia-bedelia-the-bartleby-of-domestic-work
Bags of Love was the site where Betsy created her scarf for this past Sunday's Newbery/Caldecott/Legacy Banquet. Trust me, you can make your own too. Hers was made up entirely of blue Caldecott Award and Honor winners: https://www.bagsoflove.com/design-your-own-scarf
For the full Show Notes please visit http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/06/25/fuse-8-n-kate-tuesday-by-david-wiesner/While normally the podcast posts its episodes on …While normally the podcast posts its episodes on Mondays, it seemed that for this book, of all books, a Tuesday debut was the most appropriate. When our hosts' mother suggested they do a David Wiesner title, specifically this one, Betsy pooh-poohed her. Silly mother. Surely they'd already done it. Turns out, not so much. So it was with great joy that Betsy handed it over to Kate. In this episode you'll get to hear Betsy's dead-on theremin imitation (which sounds oddly similar to her playing-the-saw imitation), as well as discussions of whether or not these are frogs AND toads, what happens if you loose your lilypad, and the sad fate of the little old woman in front of the TV.
Show Notes:
Go to David Wiesner's site for further Tuesday information here: http://www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/authors/wiesner/books/books_tues.shtml#
Read his Caldecott acceptance speech: http://www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/authors/wiesner/bio/bio3_cald.shtml
It came in at #24 on the Top 100 Picture Books poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/06/11/top-100-picture-books-24-tuesday-by-david-wiesner/
As it turns out, and this was a surprise to me, the short film they made of the book is shockingly beautiful. The animation is above par and the background music in particular is quite enchanting. It was created by the "Music and Animation Collection of Paul McCartney". Consider it a surprising treat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IV5LOHdrdP8
"Amelia Bedelia turns passive aggression into a kind of art." We do highly recommend the New Yorker piece he Secret Rebellion of Amelia Bedelia by Sarah Blackwood. A reinterpretation of something people have ignored and disregarded for years. : https://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/the-secret-rebellion-of-amelia-bedelia-the-bartleby-of-domestic-work
Bags of Love was the site where Betsy created her scarf for this past Sunday's Newbery/Caldecott/Legacy Banquet. Trust me, you can make your own too. Hers was made up entirely of blue Caldecott Award and Honor winners: https://www.bagsoflove.com/design-your-own-scarf
For the full Show Notes please visit http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/06/25/fuse-8-n-kate-tuesday-by-david-wiesner/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/637780440Episode 91 - A Hole is to DigMon, 17 Jun 2019 05:00:26 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-91-a-hole-is-to-dig
00:30:04Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoBetsy's question, walking into this podcast, was to figure out whether or not this book has anything to actually say to the 21st century child. Is it still pertinent or is it like some kind of archaic Kids Say the Darndest Things? Betsy and Kate talk about the historical view of American childhood and how it might have affected this book's popularity in certain decades. As you might expect, the book also causes them to get a little philosophical at times. "This is like Schrödinger's 's Cat. The hole both is and is not there when the digging takes place. Right. Okay. As long as we're clear. This is complex physics." Kate discovers that the absolute best way to read this book from 1952 is as a Beatnik. Oh, and I hope you like terrible terrible British accents, because we have lots and loads to give when quoting a discussion of The Tiger Who Came to Tea.
Show Notes:
The Ruth Krauss book coming out later this year is Roar Like a Dandelion, illustrated by Sergio Ruzzier.
We would be amiss in not mentioning, once again, the invaluable Crockett Johnson and Ruth Krauss: How an Unlikely Couple Found Love, Dodged the FBI, and Transformed Children's Literature: http://www.upress.state.ms.us/books/1541
Here is a Kirkus Review A Hole Is to Dig</em> that isn't really enamored of the text: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/ruth-krauss/a-hole-is-to-dig/
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/06/17/fuse-8-n-kate-a-hole-is-to-dig-by-ruth-krauss-ill-maurice-sendak/Betsy's question, walking into this podcast, was …Betsy's question, walking into this podcast, was to figure out whether or not this book has anything to actually say to the 21st century child. Is it still pertinent or is it like some kind of archaic Kids Say the Darndest Things? Betsy and Kate talk about the historical view of American childhood and how it might have affected this book's popularity in certain decades. As you might expect, the book also causes them to get a little philosophical at times. "This is like Schrödinger's 's Cat. The hole both is and is not there when the digging takes place. Right. Okay. As long as we're clear. This is complex physics." Kate discovers that the absolute best way to read this book from 1952 is as a Beatnik. Oh, and I hope you like terrible terrible British accents, because we have lots and loads to give when quoting a discussion of The Tiger Who Came to Tea.
Show Notes:
The Ruth Krauss book coming out later this year is Roar Like a Dandelion, illustrated by Sergio Ruzzier.
We would be amiss in not mentioning, once again, the invaluable Crockett Johnson and Ruth Krauss: How an Unlikely Couple Found Love, Dodged the FBI, and Transformed Children's Literature: http://www.upress.state.ms.us/books/1541
Here is a Kirkus Review A Hole Is to Dig</em> that isn't really enamored of the text: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/ruth-krauss/a-hole-is-to-dig/
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/06/17/fuse-8-n-kate-a-hole-is-to-dig-by-ruth-krauss-ill-maurice-sendak/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/634884099Episode 90 - The Tiger Who Came to TeaTue, 11 Jun 2019 03:56:55 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-90-the-tiger-who-came-to-tea
00:31:31Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoOnce an author up and dies on us, it's the perfect moment to attempt a read of that writer's best known picture book. So it is that Judith Kerr was the perfect subject to consider for this episode. This is a book that ignores the rather good advice that, "If you're in a picture book and a tiger says he's hungry, run the other way." Kate discovers that this may well be one of the MOST English picture book the show has ever encountered. She also identifies this tiger as a brat as a cat and you KNOW how Kate feels about brats. Meanwhile, Betsy shares her Jeopardy suspicions, my goodness Daddy's Guinness is gone, and the sisters get to say the phrase "there is nothing Nazi about this tiger."
Here is an obituary for Judith Kerr for those of you with an interest in her life : https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/23/obituaries/judith-kerr-dead.html
No. Really. What exactly IS "tea"?
Here is the wacky Wikipedia entry I refer to. Clearly this is my favorite found about a children's author thus far: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judith_Kerr
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/06/11/fuse-8-n-kate-the-tiger-who-came-to-tea-by-judith-kerr/Once an author up and dies on us, it's the perfec…Once an author up and dies on us, it's the perfect moment to attempt a read of that writer's best known picture book. So it is that Judith Kerr was the perfect subject to consider for this episode. This is a book that ignores the rather good advice that, "If you're in a picture book and a tiger says he's hungry, run the other way." Kate discovers that this may well be one of the MOST English picture book the show has ever encountered. She also identifies this tiger as a brat as a cat and you KNOW how Kate feels about brats. Meanwhile, Betsy shares her Jeopardy suspicions, my goodness Daddy's Guinness is gone, and the sisters get to say the phrase "there is nothing Nazi about this tiger."
Here is an obituary for Judith Kerr for those of you with an interest in her life : https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/23/obituaries/judith-kerr-dead.html
No. Really. What exactly IS "tea"?
Here is the wacky Wikipedia entry I refer to. Clearly this is my favorite found about a children's author thus far: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judith_Kerr
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/06/11/fuse-8-n-kate-the-tiger-who-came-to-tea-by-judith-kerr/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/630740730Episode 89 - Tell Me a MitziMon, 03 Jun 2019 04:37:43 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-89-tell-me-a-mitzi
00:34:19Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoUnder normal circumstances, the entire premise of this podcast is that Betsy will present Kate with a picture book "classic" that she has never seen before and she will read it for the first time. To change things up, Kate suggested that Betsy bring a picture book that neither of them had read. At the same time, she mentioned in a previous episode that when it comes to classic Jewish picture books, the only ones the show has ever done were Hanukkah based. Add in the fact that this is a cult classic that came back in print two years ago, and you've got yourself a heckuva show.
Show Notes:
- Betsy keeps quoting from a Marjorie Ingall article in Tablet Magazine that was called Lore Segal's Warm and Weird 'Tell Me a Mitzi'. We highly recommend that you seek it out for even more background information: https://www.tabletmag.com/scroll/193108/lore-segals-warm-and-weird-tell-me-a-mitzi
-Lore Segal's family's story was told in the Academy Award winning documentary Into the Arms of Strangers. You can see the trailer for it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIXmLLBrNQY
- See the full Show Notes here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/06/03/fuse-8-n-kate-tell-me-a-mitzi-by-lore-segal-and-harriet-pincus/Under normal circumstances, the entire premise of…Under normal circumstances, the entire premise of this podcast is that Betsy will present Kate with a picture book "classic" that she has never seen before and she will read it for the first time. To change things up, Kate suggested that Betsy bring a picture book that neither of them had read. At the same time, she mentioned in a previous episode that when it comes to classic Jewish picture books, the only ones the show has ever done were Hanukkah based. Add in the fact that this is a cult classic that came back in print two years ago, and you've got yourself a heckuva show.
Show Notes:
- Betsy keeps quoting from a Marjorie Ingall article in Tablet Magazine that was called Lore Segal's Warm and Weird 'Tell Me a Mitzi'. We highly recommend that you seek it out for even more background information: https://www.tabletmag.com/scroll/193108/lore-segals-warm-and-weird-tell-me-a-mitzi
-Lore Segal's family's story was told in the Academy Award winning documentary Into the Arms of Strangers. You can see the trailer for it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIXmLLBrNQY
- See the full Show Notes here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/06/03/fuse-8-n-kate-tell-me-a-mitzi-by-lore-segal-and-harriet-pincus/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/627687129Episode 88 - Pete the CatTue, 28 May 2019 03:25:48 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-88-pete-the-cat
00:34:48Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoKate gave Betsy a challenge to go out and find a picture book that the two of them hadn't read. And in the end . . . Betsy completely and utterly failed to do honor the request. She decided to do Pete instead. So it goes.
With this entry, Kate makes a VERY strong case for why this book missed an opportunity involving the color wheel. Kate also points out that the actual moral of this story is, "Watch where you step." Meanwhile, Betsy gets to riff on James Dean the actor (if he were ever to make a picture book), Kate tells Betsy that hedgehogs are super smelly (who knew?), and the two dive deep into Pete's confusing lineage.
Show Notes:
Here is Eric Litwin's interview with Line Up the Books: https://www.lineupthebooks.com/an-interview-with-ny-times-bestselling-author-and-former-special-ed-teacher-eric-litwin-2/
How do you sing this song? Here's how Litwin would do it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUubMSfIs-U
Here’s the Pete the Cat website in case you want to check out all those Pete videos: http://www.petethecatbooks.com/
And here’s the Pete the Cat television show. You know you’re curious. Behold the trailer. Is it just us or is it really painful to watch anytime you see Pete’s mouth? Plus we miss the messiness of the original art here. Seems like a lost opportunity: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5w1F-_SDls
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/05/28/fuse-8-n-kate-pete-the-cat-i-love-my-white-shoes-by-james-dean/Kate gave Betsy a challenge to go out and find a …Kate gave Betsy a challenge to go out and find a picture book that the two of them hadn't read. And in the end . . . Betsy completely and utterly failed to do honor the request. She decided to do Pete instead. So it goes.
With this entry, Kate makes a VERY strong case for why this book missed an opportunity involving the color wheel. Kate also points out that the actual moral of this story is, "Watch where you step." Meanwhile, Betsy gets to riff on James Dean the actor (if he were ever to make a picture book), Kate tells Betsy that hedgehogs are super smelly (who knew?), and the two dive deep into Pete's confusing lineage.
Show Notes:
Here is Eric Litwin's interview with Line Up the Books: https://www.lineupthebooks.com/an-interview-with-ny-times-bestselling-author-and-former-special-ed-teacher-eric-litwin-2/
How do you sing this song? Here's how Litwin would do it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUubMSfIs-U
Here’s the Pete the Cat website in case you want to check out all those Pete videos: http://www.petethecatbooks.com/
And here’s the Pete the Cat television show. You know you’re curious. Behold the trailer. Is it just us or is it really painful to watch anytime you see Pete’s mouth? Plus we miss the messiness of the original art here. Seems like a lost opportunity: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5w1F-_SDls
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/05/28/fuse-8-n-kate-pete-the-cat-i-love-my-white-shoes-by-james-dean/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/623427873Episode 87 - Who Needs Donuts?Mon, 20 May 2019 04:03:38 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-87-who-needs-donuts
00:36:55Betsy Bird and Kate Ramseyno"It's like the Where's Waldo of literature!"
This week we're celebrating another cult classic picture book (the last one we did was The Lonely Doll by Dare Wright). There aren't a ton of them out there, but this one certainly does apply. The timing of this podcast has much to do with the fact that Mr. Stamaty has just released MacDoodle Street, a collection of his adult strips. In the course of things we discover that this book has 27 pipes, we discuss whether or not Mr. Stamaty really does suffer from horror vacui, and how you would sing the line "Who needs donuts when you've got love?". It fails the stranger danger test magnificently, sure, but we can all get behind its "inspired sense of the absurd."
Want to read the original New York Times review of this book by Barbara Bottner? Go no further than here. I think it was keen of them to tap Bottner for this: https://www.nytimes.com/1973/10/14/archives/who-needs-donuts-by-mark-alan-stamaty-illustrated-by-the-author.html
Has anyone ever combined a donut and a pretzel before? I'm afraid so. But they don't get a catchy name: https://www.sweetrecipeas.com/2016/10/05/vanilla-bean-glazed-soft-pretzel-donuts/
Here you can hear Jesse Thorn discussing <em>Who Needs Donuts? It's more an encapsulation than anything else, but it's always interesting to hear how other folks take this book: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1\u0026v=W-BKWBbrCek
And here is Kate's paint-by-number artist that she likes so much. Her name is Colleen O'Connor: http://www.colleenelizabethart.com/
Betsy's Grown-Up Thing I Like is the documentary Knock Down the House which she mistakenly keep scalling "Bringing Down the House": https://deadline.com/2019/01/knock-down-the-house-netflix-alexandria-ocasio-cortez-sundance-film-festival-documentary-1202544739/
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/05/20/fuse-8-n-kate-who-needs-donuts-by-mark-alan-stamaty/"It's like the Where's Waldo of literature!"
Thi…"It's like the Where's Waldo of literature!"
This week we're celebrating another cult classic picture book (the last one we did was The Lonely Doll by Dare Wright). There aren't a ton of them out there, but this one certainly does apply. The timing of this podcast has much to do with the fact that Mr. Stamaty has just released MacDoodle Street, a collection of his adult strips. In the course of things we discover that this book has 27 pipes, we discuss whether or not Mr. Stamaty really does suffer from horror vacui, and how you would sing the line "Who needs donuts when you've got love?". It fails the stranger danger test magnificently, sure, but we can all get behind its "inspired sense of the absurd."
Want to read the original New York Times review of this book by Barbara Bottner? Go no further than here. I think it was keen of them to tap Bottner for this: https://www.nytimes.com/1973/10/14/archives/who-needs-donuts-by-mark-alan-stamaty-illustrated-by-the-author.html
Has anyone ever combined a donut and a pretzel before? I'm afraid so. But they don't get a catchy name: https://www.sweetrecipeas.com/2016/10/05/vanilla-bean-glazed-soft-pretzel-donuts/
Here you can hear Jesse Thorn discussing <em>Who Needs Donuts? It's more an encapsulation than anything else, but it's always interesting to hear how other folks take this book: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1\u0026v=W-BKWBbrCek
And here is Kate's paint-by-number artist that she likes so much. Her name is Colleen O'Connor: http://www.colleenelizabethart.com/
Betsy's Grown-Up Thing I Like is the documentary Knock Down the House which she mistakenly keep scalling "Bringing Down the House": https://deadline.com/2019/01/knock-down-the-house-netflix-alexandria-ocasio-cortez-sundance-film-festival-documentary-1202544739/
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/05/20/fuse-8-n-kate-who-needs-donuts-by-mark-alan-stamaty/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/619773915Episode 86 - Perez and MartinaMon, 13 May 2019 04:25:36 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-86-perez-and-martina
00:35:53Betsy Bird and Kate Ramseyno"Folktales! They don't end the way you expect 'em to . . . if they're authentic."
If you are familiar with #ownvoices children's books, then you know that these are titles where a book is written by someone with learned experience from the culture they are representing. We might have quite a debate over what the oldest #ownvoices picture book published in America is, that is arguably famous to this day, and that also is written by someone who wasn't white and European. Our vote goes to today's book circa 1932. Sadly, it appears to be out of print. For that matter, ALL of Pura Belpre's books look like they're out of print, with the possible exception of Firefly Summer. Something wrong with that, people. In this episode Kate and I get to do all kinds of fun animal sounds. Particularly "Borom". We're very fond of "Borom"
Lots of books get mentioned in this show. One of them that is discussed right at the top is the upcoming Goodnight, Bubbala by Sheryl Haft and Jill Weber. Coming this fall.
Here's a link to that lamentable Washington Examiner piece The Baltimore Mayor Scandal Wouldn't Have Happened If Modern Children's Books Weren't So Dumb. You kind find Nick Bruel's response on Facebook. - https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/the-baltimore-mayor-scandal-wouldnt-have-happened-if-modern-childrens-books-werent-so-dumb
Just a quick note that if you want a cool picture book that features Pura Belpre and here Perez and Martina puppets, check out The Storyteller's Candle by Lucia M. Gonzalez. - http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2008/03/22/review-of-the-day-the-storytellers-candle-la-velita-de-los-cuentos/
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/05/13/fuse-8-n-kate-perez-and-martina-by-pura-belpre-ill-carlos-sanchez/"Folktales! They don't end the way you expect 'em…"Folktales! They don't end the way you expect 'em to . . . if they're authentic."
If you are familiar with #ownvoices children's books, then you know that these are titles where a book is written by someone with learned experience from the culture they are representing. We might have quite a debate over what the oldest #ownvoices picture book published in America is, that is arguably famous to this day, and that also is written by someone who wasn't white and European. Our vote goes to today's book circa 1932. Sadly, it appears to be out of print. For that matter, ALL of Pura Belpre's books look like they're out of print, with the possible exception of Firefly Summer. Something wrong with that, people. In this episode Kate and I get to do all kinds of fun animal sounds. Particularly "Borom". We're very fond of "Borom"
Lots of books get mentioned in this show. One of them that is discussed right at the top is the upcoming Goodnight, Bubbala by Sheryl Haft and Jill Weber. Coming this fall.
Here's a link to that lamentable Washington Examiner piece The Baltimore Mayor Scandal Wouldn't Have Happened If Modern Children's Books Weren't So Dumb. You kind find Nick Bruel's response on Facebook. - https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/the-baltimore-mayor-scandal-wouldnt-have-happened-if-modern-childrens-books-werent-so-dumb
Just a quick note that if you want a cool picture book that features Pura Belpre and here Perez and Martina puppets, check out The Storyteller's Candle by Lucia M. Gonzalez. - http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2008/03/22/review-of-the-day-the-storytellers-candle-la-velita-de-los-cuentos/
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/05/13/fuse-8-n-kate-perez-and-martina-by-pura-belpre-ill-carlos-sanchez/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/616332885Episode 85 - Mike Mulligan and His Steam ShovelMon, 06 May 2019 04:25:20 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-85-mike-mulligan-and-his-steam-shovel
00:37:46Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoRamona's not the only one calling aspects of Mike Mulligan into question anymore. Kate and Betsy already tackled Virginia Lee Burton's The Little House, so now the two cover another story of the fast moving world and how it leads to obsolescence. In this tale of "a man obsessed with his steam shovel," they discuss muffs, dabbing, how precisely a steam shovel would work, and the weird placement of the acknowledgement to Dickie Birkinbush mid-book.
As we mentioned, Kate and Betsy made a Randolph Caldecott music video about 10 years ago. That second pair of heels? That's Kate:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMIjWQQavcY
And here is Kate's Kei$ha video. She's one of the mohawked ladies walking behind the singer lady: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXvmSaE0JXA
Kate looked up what a "selectman" is. It is, "a member of the local government board of a New England town." Who knew?
For the full show notes, please visit us at http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/05/06/fuse-8-n-kate-mike-mulligan-and-his-steam-shovel-by-virginia-lee-burton/Ramona's not the only one calling aspects of Mike…Ramona's not the only one calling aspects of Mike Mulligan into question anymore. Kate and Betsy already tackled Virginia Lee Burton's The Little House, so now the two cover another story of the fast moving world and how it leads to obsolescence. In this tale of "a man obsessed with his steam shovel," they discuss muffs, dabbing, how precisely a steam shovel would work, and the weird placement of the acknowledgement to Dickie Birkinbush mid-book.
As we mentioned, Kate and Betsy made a Randolph Caldecott music video about 10 years ago. That second pair of heels? That's Kate:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMIjWQQavcY
And here is Kate's Kei$ha video. She's one of the mohawked ladies walking behind the singer lady: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXvmSaE0JXA
Kate looked up what a "selectman" is. It is, "a member of the local government board of a New England town." Who knew?
For the full show notes, please visit us at http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/05/06/fuse-8-n-kate-mike-mulligan-and-his-steam-shovel-by-virginia-lee-burton/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/612948771Episode 84 - Bark, GeorgeMon, 29 Apr 2019 04:22:40 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-84-bark-george
00:37:24Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoWe're not entirely certainly why Betsy selected this as today's book. Maybe she wanted a book that was merely 20 years old. Maybe it was the fact that earlier in the day, before we recorded, she had read this book to her son's preschool class. But it may be because, and we don't think we're spoiling anything here, it is one of the world's greatest readaloud picture books. And there are so many things to talk about here. Spontaneous interior canine generation. The doctor's disappearing/reappearing latex gloves. Why no one assumes that there isn't another dog inside of George at the end. Whether or not George has eaten the vet at the end. The list goes on.
Show Notes:
The documentary The Phantom Tollbooth: Beyond Expectations, A Documentary About the Classic Children's Book has been mentioned on this podcast and blog before. Buy it for the Tollbooth fan in your life: http://phantomtollboothdoc.vhx.tv/
The term Betsy was having a hard time thinking of is "spontaneous generation".
That's right, folks. This book came in at #9 on the Top 100 Picture Books Poll of 2012: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/06/17/top-100-picture-books-9-bark-george-by-jules-feiffer/
Here's a small selection from the Weston Woods adaptation of the book. We think they lost something when they added all that extra text, though. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwdQISGMvcs
The French for "woof" is "waouh" so Betsy wasn't too far off.
The artist that Kate likes so much can be found at @Karenhallionart
The two adult comics that Betsy thought were particularly keen are Abbott by Saladin Ahmed and On a Sunbeam by Tillie Walden.
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/04/29/fuse-8-n-kate-bark-george-by-jules-feiffer/We're not entirely certainly why Betsy selected t…We're not entirely certainly why Betsy selected this as today's book. Maybe she wanted a book that was merely 20 years old. Maybe it was the fact that earlier in the day, before we recorded, she had read this book to her son's preschool class. But it may be because, and we don't think we're spoiling anything here, it is one of the world's greatest readaloud picture books. And there are so many things to talk about here. Spontaneous interior canine generation. The doctor's disappearing/reappearing latex gloves. Why no one assumes that there isn't another dog inside of George at the end. Whether or not George has eaten the vet at the end. The list goes on.
Show Notes:
The documentary The Phantom Tollbooth: Beyond Expectations, A Documentary About the Classic Children's Book has been mentioned on this podcast and blog before. Buy it for the Tollbooth fan in your life: http://phantomtollboothdoc.vhx.tv/
The term Betsy was having a hard time thinking of is "spontaneous generation".
That's right, folks. This book came in at #9 on the Top 100 Picture Books Poll of 2012: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/06/17/top-100-picture-books-9-bark-george-by-jules-feiffer/
Here's a small selection from the Weston Woods adaptation of the book. We think they lost something when they added all that extra text, though. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwdQISGMvcs
The French for "woof" is "waouh" so Betsy wasn't too far off.
The artist that Kate likes so much can be found at @Karenhallionart
The two adult comics that Betsy thought were particularly keen are Abbott by Saladin Ahmed and On a Sunbeam by Tillie Walden.
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/04/29/fuse-8-n-kate-bark-george-by-jules-feiffer/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/609554442Episode 83 - Wilfrid Gordon McDonald PartridgeMon, 22 Apr 2019 04:00:41 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-83-wilfrid-gordon-mcdonald-partridge
00:35:34Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoIt's time for another update in one of our favorite series on this podcast: Classics From Other Countries. Normally on this show we like to consider children's picture books from America, determining if they deserve their "classic" status. But how fair is that? Why not consider picture books deemed classics in other countries? We did Duck, Death and Tulip via Germany. We did The Gruffalo via the U.K. So let's jump on a plane and fly ourselves to Australia for our first Mem Fox classic. What will Kate think when she encounters a book with a title composed entirely out of names? And how many children's librarians out there can remember the full name at all times? Inquiring minds want to know.
To get a full dose of info on this book, there is no better place to go than Mem Fox's own website. Here's the Wilfrid page, chock full of fascinating info: https://memfox.com/gossip-behind-mems-books/wilfrid-gordon-mcdonald-partridge/
Bradley Whitford, everyone! Reading this book! Why? No idea! But it's there: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dLCKYTbR5c
And while we're doing videos, this one about a staged production with puppets is worth your time too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Wu5ldoGd68
For the full Show Notes, please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/04/22/fuse-8-n-kate/It's time for another update in one of our favori…It's time for another update in one of our favorite series on this podcast: Classics From Other Countries. Normally on this show we like to consider children's picture books from America, determining if they deserve their "classic" status. But how fair is that? Why not consider picture books deemed classics in other countries? We did Duck, Death and Tulip via Germany. We did The Gruffalo via the U.K. So let's jump on a plane and fly ourselves to Australia for our first Mem Fox classic. What will Kate think when she encounters a book with a title composed entirely out of names? And how many children's librarians out there can remember the full name at all times? Inquiring minds want to know.
To get a full dose of info on this book, there is no better place to go than Mem Fox's own website. Here's the Wilfrid page, chock full of fascinating info: https://memfox.com/gossip-behind-mems-books/wilfrid-gordon-mcdonald-partridge/
Bradley Whitford, everyone! Reading this book! Why? No idea! But it's there: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dLCKYTbR5c
And while we're doing videos, this one about a staged production with puppets is worth your time too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Wu5ldoGd68
For the full Show Notes, please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/04/22/fuse-8-n-kate/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/602631942Episode 82 - No, David!Mon, 08 Apr 2019 04:01:54 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-82-no-david
00:38:35Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoKate set Betsy up with a challenge. They've been deeming too many books as "classics". What book could I produce that would engender more of a debate? Well, after all these episodes (82!) Betsy thinks she's figured out Kate's least loved genre. It involves childlike art. It involves kids who aren't entirely saintly. Really, it was just a matter of time before they got to this one. They've not done a David Shannon book before. Ultimately they determine that the fault at work here is not that of David, but the inattentive parents.
Happily, Kate has provided the "Partysaurus Rex" video link. It is a delight: https://vimeo.com/51194871
And the Etch a Sketch is from 1960, if that helps date the kid in the book.
Yes, Betsy. It was Hiawatha and the Peacemaker.
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/04/08/fuse-8-n-kate-no-david-by-david-shannon/Kate set Betsy up with a challenge. They've been …Kate set Betsy up with a challenge. They've been deeming too many books as "classics". What book could I produce that would engender more of a debate? Well, after all these episodes (82!) Betsy thinks she's figured out Kate's least loved genre. It involves childlike art. It involves kids who aren't entirely saintly. Really, it was just a matter of time before they got to this one. They've not done a David Shannon book before. Ultimately they determine that the fault at work here is not that of David, but the inattentive parents.
Happily, Kate has provided the "Partysaurus Rex" video link. It is a delight: https://vimeo.com/51194871
And the Etch a Sketch is from 1960, if that helps date the kid in the book.
Yes, Betsy. It was Hiawatha and the Peacemaker.
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/04/08/fuse-8-n-kate-no-david-by-david-shannon/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/599086287Episode 81 - The Three RobbersMon, 01 Apr 2019 04:10:07 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-81-the-three-robbers
00:39:15Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoTomi Ungerer died just this past year on February 9th so it seemed logical to us that we should try to do one of his books on the show. This begs the inevitable question, which one should we do? After all, there are so many to consider. Crictor? The Beast of Monsieur Racine? Moon Man? We decided to go with the only one Betsy ever saw adapted by Weston Woods. In the course of our talk we discuss whether or not giving birth is an adequate excuse for saying you have a "connection" to someone, who invented the name "blunderbuss", and why this book is like Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome. Plus, isn't it interesting that all these kids may be attending a robber school by the end of the book?
Show Notes:
- Is a pepper blower actually a thing? Betsy did a bit of research on her end, and she doesn't think that it is. As far as she is concerned, Ungerer made it up.
- "When is there ever a fun aunt?" in a children's book. Okay, people. Lay 'em on me. Who's the coolest of them all?
- Our hero, ladies and germs: The Castle Real Estate Agent. "Now what can I do to get you fellas into this castle?"
- Kate doesn't remember this Weston Woods video but I sure as heck do. I think it's probably my favorite Weston Woods video of all time. You'll see why immediately: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcbaDAtjCN0
For the full Show Notes, please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/04/01/fuse-8-n-kate-the-three-robbers-by-tomi-ungerer/Tomi Ungerer died just this past year on February…Tomi Ungerer died just this past year on February 9th so it seemed logical to us that we should try to do one of his books on the show. This begs the inevitable question, which one should we do? After all, there are so many to consider. Crictor? The Beast of Monsieur Racine? Moon Man? We decided to go with the only one Betsy ever saw adapted by Weston Woods. In the course of our talk we discuss whether or not giving birth is an adequate excuse for saying you have a "connection" to someone, who invented the name "blunderbuss", and why this book is like Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome. Plus, isn't it interesting that all these kids may be attending a robber school by the end of the book?
Show Notes:
- Is a pepper blower actually a thing? Betsy did a bit of research on her end, and she doesn't think that it is. As far as she is concerned, Ungerer made it up.
- "When is there ever a fun aunt?" in a children's book. Okay, people. Lay 'em on me. Who's the coolest of them all?
- Our hero, ladies and germs: The Castle Real Estate Agent. "Now what can I do to get you fellas into this castle?"
- Kate doesn't remember this Weston Woods video but I sure as heck do. I think it's probably my favorite Weston Woods video of all time. You'll see why immediately: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcbaDAtjCN0
For the full Show Notes, please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/04/01/fuse-8-n-kate-the-three-robbers-by-tomi-ungerer/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/595391541Episode 80 - The Boy Who Didn't Believe in SpringMon, 25 Mar 2019 04:04:43 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-80-the-boy-who-didnt-believe-in-spring
00:35:37Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoHow crazy is it that Betsy and Kate have never done a Lucille Clifton book before? Nor a Brinton Turkle, but that's a little more understandable. Lucille Clifton was one of the most prolific Black picture book authors in the 70s. Spring has officially sprung and Betsy realized that today's book (which New York schoolchildren are read and given to read every single year around this time) would be the perfect way to celebrate not just the season but Clifton herself. But would Kate like it? Stay tuned, gentle listeners. In the meantime, those of you thinking yearningly of Spring will find much to love in this episode.
Show Notes:
- The best reading that you will encounter all day long is this June Jordan New York Times review. "Really okay book" she raves! https://www.nytimes.com/1973/11/04/archives/the-boy-who-didnt-believe-in-spring-by-jeannette-caines-illustrated.html
- The books Jordan read and didn't like were Black Is Brown Is Tan by Arnold Adoff, Abby by Jeannette Caines, with pictures by Stephen Kellogg, Anthony and Sabrina by Ray Prather, Lordy, Aunt Hattie, by Ianthe Thomas, with pictures by Thomas di Grazia, Don't You Remember? by Lucille Clifton, illustrated by Evaline Ness, Good, Says Jerome, by Lucille Clifton, and finally All Us Come Cross the Water, by Lucille Clifton, with illustrations by John Steptoe. As Jordan said of that last book, "The father and son picture and the grandmother and grandson picture must compete, in my eyes, for Terrifying Zombie Page of the Year."
- Macomber for Congress. Macomber may not have been a real candidate but I suspect that Turkle knew someone by that name and sneaked it in. But if you know anything about it, let us know.
- I think it's fair to say that it's time for Henry Holt & Company to seriously re-illustrate and re-release the Everett Anderson books. Like Betsy mentions on the podcast, ONE OF THE PROBLEMS OF EVERETT ANDERSON is one of the few picture books we've ever seen about a kid dealing with a classmate that's being abused.
For the full Show Notes, please visit us at: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/03/25/fuse-8-n-kate-the-boy-who-didnt-believe-in-spring-by-lucille-clifton-ill-brinton-turkle/How crazy is it that Betsy and Kate have never do…How crazy is it that Betsy and Kate have never done a Lucille Clifton book before? Nor a Brinton Turkle, but that's a little more understandable. Lucille Clifton was one of the most prolific Black picture book authors in the 70s. Spring has officially sprung and Betsy realized that today's book (which New York schoolchildren are read and given to read every single year around this time) would be the perfect way to celebrate not just the season but Clifton herself. But would Kate like it? Stay tuned, gentle listeners. In the meantime, those of you thinking yearningly of Spring will find much to love in this episode.
Show Notes:
- The best reading that you will encounter all day long is this June Jordan New York Times review. "Really okay book" she raves! https://www.nytimes.com/1973/11/04/archives/the-boy-who-didnt-believe-in-spring-by-jeannette-caines-illustrated.html
- The books Jordan read and didn't like were Black Is Brown Is Tan by Arnold Adoff, Abby by Jeannette Caines, with pictures by Stephen Kellogg, Anthony and Sabrina by Ray Prather, Lordy, Aunt Hattie, by Ianthe Thomas, with pictures by Thomas di Grazia, Don't You Remember? by Lucille Clifton, illustrated by Evaline Ness, Good, Says Jerome, by Lucille Clifton, and finally All Us Come Cross the Water, by Lucille Clifton, with illustrations by John Steptoe. As Jordan said of that last book, "The father and son picture and the grandmother and grandson picture must compete, in my eyes, for Terrifying Zombie Page of the Year."
- Macomber for Congress. Macomber may not have been a real candidate but I suspect that Turkle knew someone by that name and sneaked it in. But if you know anything about it, let us know.
- I think it's fair to say that it's time for Henry Holt & Company to seriously re-illustrate and re-release the Everett Anderson books. Like Betsy mentions on the podcast, ONE OF THE PROBLEMS OF EVERETT ANDERSON is one of the few picture books we've ever seen about a kid dealing with a classmate that's being abused.
For the full Show Notes, please visit us at: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/03/25/fuse-8-n-kate-the-boy-who-didnt-believe-in-spring-by-lucille-clifton-ill-brinton-turkle/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/588177822Episode 79 - Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile & The House on East 88th StreetMon, 11 Mar 2019 04:23:23 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-79-lyle-lyle-crocodile-the-house-on-east-88th-street
00:43:49Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoToday, to make up for the missing episode last week, you get a twofer. You see, there’s a bit of a problem with old Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile. Most people remember the title of the second book in the series, but are we to ignore Book #1? Betsy gave Kate the chance to decide which one to do, so what did she decide? To do both, of course! In the course of things the sisters discuss alligators vs. crocodiles, who exactly this “Salt Bae” person is, the interior decorating schemes of the early 60s, and (they can both agree) the fact that Hector P. Valenti is a serious jerkwad.
Show Notes:
– Betsy should have mentioned to Kate, when we were debating the location, that this has to be NYC because you see ice skating at Rockefeller Center in Lyle, Lyle.
– Here are the two 2019 crocodile/alligator books Betsy has read this year and has particularly enjoyed: The Truth About Crocodiles by Maxwell Eaton III and Beware of the Crocodile by Martin Jenkins, ill. Satoshi Kitamura.
– How big are a crocodile’s feet and could you fit a pair of ice skates on one? The mystery lives on.
– Okay, clever readers. You figured out the road flares in Harry the Dirty Dog. You determined the use of the open flame on the cover of Doctor DeSoto. What does it mean to “signal the alarm” when there is a fire?
– As I mentioned, there was a 1987 TV special for HBO. I never saw it, but you can see a low-quality view of one of the songs here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmNs_0u-2wk
– Compare it then to The Lifeline Theatre production: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPs3LppTIFQ
– Hat tip to Ms. Yingling for identifying the bombs in Harry the Dirty Dog as road flares. Here is what they look like: https://www.etsy.com/listing/266819083/smudge-pot-road-light-vintage-road
- For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/03/11/fuse-8-n-kate-lyle-lyle-crocodile-and-the-house-on-east-88th-street-by-bernard-waber/Today, to make up for the missing episode last we…Today, to make up for the missing episode last week, you get a twofer. You see, there’s a bit of a problem with old Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile. Most people remember the title of the second book in the series, but are we to ignore Book #1? Betsy gave Kate the chance to decide which one to do, so what did she decide? To do both, of course! In the course of things the sisters discuss alligators vs. crocodiles, who exactly this “Salt Bae” person is, the interior decorating schemes of the early 60s, and (they can both agree) the fact that Hector P. Valenti is a serious jerkwad.
Show Notes:
– Betsy should have mentioned to Kate, when we were debating the location, that this has to be NYC because you see ice skating at Rockefeller Center in Lyle, Lyle.
– Here are the two 2019 crocodile/alligator books Betsy has read this year and has particularly enjoyed: The Truth About Crocodiles by Maxwell Eaton III and Beware of the Crocodile by Martin Jenkins, ill. Satoshi Kitamura.
– How big are a crocodile’s feet and could you fit a pair of ice skates on one? The mystery lives on.
– Okay, clever readers. You figured out the road flares in Harry the Dirty Dog. You determined the use of the open flame on the cover of Doctor DeSoto. What does it mean to “signal the alarm” when there is a fire?
– As I mentioned, there was a 1987 TV special for HBO. I never saw it, but you can see a low-quality view of one of the songs here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmNs_0u-2wk
– Compare it then to The Lifeline Theatre production: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPs3LppTIFQ
– Hat tip to Ms. Yingling for identifying the bombs in Harry the Dirty Dog as road flares. Here is what they look like: https://www.etsy.com/listing/266819083/smudge-pot-road-light-vintage-road
- For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/03/11/fuse-8-n-kate-lyle-lyle-crocodile-and-the-house-on-east-88th-street-by-bernard-waber/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/580335456Episode 78 - Harry the Dirty DogSun, 24 Feb 2019 04:23:24 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-78-harry-the-dirty-dog
00:40:45Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoKate got a dog! A doggy dog of her very own. And you know what goes together well, like peaches and cream? Dogs and picture books. So Betsy had to figure out a classic dog picture book. And lo and behold she realized that in spite of its relative fame the show had never done a book about this particular dirty dirty dog. In the course of things Betsy and Kate solve the mystery of why Harry never rolls in mud. Meanwhile, this is a VERY springtime-related book. We hope you appreciate the robins and the daffodils. Here in February, our eyes are hungry for any and all spring things.
Show Notes:
- Here's an obit for Margaret Bloy Graham: https://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/29/books/margaret-bloy-graham-harry-the-dirty-dog-illustrator-dies-at-94.html
- And another article about her from WBUR: https://www.wbur.org/artery/2015/04/17/margaret-bloy-graham
- The book was #43 on the Top 100 Picture Books Poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/05/29/top-100-picture-books-43-harry-the-dirty-dog-by-gene-zion-illustrated-by-margaret-bloy-graham/
- Curious to see the Complete Listing of All Public Children's Literature Statues in the United States? Well here it is: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/03/28/updated-the-complete-listing-of-all-public-childrens-literature-statues-in-the-united-states/
- And at Bookworm Gardens in Sheboygan, WI you'll find this adorable little Harry. You can clean him. Look at that adorable guy!! http://www.bookwormgardens.org/
- I wasn't wrong. The Scottish Granny did read I Need a New Bum. Here, you can watch her yourself: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQoYjU2Fh0M
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/02/25/fuse-8-n-kate-harry-the-dirty-dog-by-gene-zion-ill-margaret-bloy-graham/Kate got a dog! A doggy dog of her very own. And …Kate got a dog! A doggy dog of her very own. And you know what goes together well, like peaches and cream? Dogs and picture books. So Betsy had to figure out a classic dog picture book. And lo and behold she realized that in spite of its relative fame the show had never done a book about this particular dirty dirty dog. In the course of things Betsy and Kate solve the mystery of why Harry never rolls in mud. Meanwhile, this is a VERY springtime-related book. We hope you appreciate the robins and the daffodils. Here in February, our eyes are hungry for any and all spring things.
Show Notes:
- Here's an obit for Margaret Bloy Graham: https://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/29/books/margaret-bloy-graham-harry-the-dirty-dog-illustrator-dies-at-94.html
- And another article about her from WBUR: https://www.wbur.org/artery/2015/04/17/margaret-bloy-graham
- The book was #43 on the Top 100 Picture Books Poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/05/29/top-100-picture-books-43-harry-the-dirty-dog-by-gene-zion-illustrated-by-margaret-bloy-graham/
- Curious to see the Complete Listing of All Public Children's Literature Statues in the United States? Well here it is: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/03/28/updated-the-complete-listing-of-all-public-childrens-literature-statues-in-the-united-states/
- And at Bookworm Gardens in Sheboygan, WI you'll find this adorable little Harry. You can clean him. Look at that adorable guy!! http://www.bookwormgardens.org/
- I wasn't wrong. The Scottish Granny did read I Need a New Bum. Here, you can watch her yourself: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQoYjU2Fh0M
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/02/25/fuse-8-n-kate-harry-the-dirty-dog-by-gene-zion-ill-margaret-bloy-graham/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/577122063Episode 77 - FrederickMon, 18 Feb 2019 04:03:28 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-77-frederick
00:38:56Betsy Bird and Kate Ramseyno"If you've got a Leo Lionni book you're not going anywhere very fast, but you're gonna get there eventually."
The old Ant and the Grasshopper fable got the Lionni touch back in 1967 when the four time Caldecott Honor winner chose to put a new spin on an old classic. So how successful was this book in the end? Is it a product of its age (the tune in and drop out 60s) or something that stands the test of time? In the course of things the sisters discuss the fact that Frederick would have made a fantastic lawyer, how he progresses from emo to hipster, and whether or not that poppy on the cover has a special significance. Plus they get to mention Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, and that ALWAYS makes for good podcast talk.
Show Notes:
- Yay, Cybils! We're so pleased with the winner of the Picture Book category. Here's the full list of Cybils winners, if you're curious: http://www.cybils.com/2019/02/2018-cybils-winners.html
- Regarding the Leo Lionni sculpture housed at The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, they say, "The sculpture, titled Imaginary Garden, was created in 1978 and was previously housed at The Fresno Metropolitan Museum of Art in California. The Imaginary Garden captures Lionni's love for botany, evident in the attention given to flora and fauna in his picture book illustrations, as well as his book of fictional plants from 1977, Parallel Botany. The sculpture is a blending of the organic and the abstract, giving the piece a fantastic, otherworldly appearance."
- Here is the Frederick page on the site Teaching Children Philosophy: https://www.teachingchildrenphilosophy.org/BookModule/Frederick
- Thank you again, Benji Martin, for the faux and very kind award! Betsy and Kate received The 2019 Kid Lit Podcast Award: https://elementaryschoollibrarian.wordpress.com/2019/02/12/the-2019-kid-lit-podcast-awards/
- For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/02/18/fuse-8-n-kate-frederick-by-leo-lionni/"If you've got a Leo Lionni book you're not going…"If you've got a Leo Lionni book you're not going anywhere very fast, but you're gonna get there eventually."
The old Ant and the Grasshopper fable got the Lionni touch back in 1967 when the four time Caldecott Honor winner chose to put a new spin on an old classic. So how successful was this book in the end? Is it a product of its age (the tune in and drop out 60s) or something that stands the test of time? In the course of things the sisters discuss the fact that Frederick would have made a fantastic lawyer, how he progresses from emo to hipster, and whether or not that poppy on the cover has a special significance. Plus they get to mention Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, and that ALWAYS makes for good podcast talk.
Show Notes:
- Yay, Cybils! We're so pleased with the winner of the Picture Book category. Here's the full list of Cybils winners, if you're curious: http://www.cybils.com/2019/02/2018-cybils-winners.html
- Regarding the Leo Lionni sculpture housed at The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, they say, "The sculpture, titled Imaginary Garden, was created in 1978 and was previously housed at The Fresno Metropolitan Museum of Art in California. The Imaginary Garden captures Lionni's love for botany, evident in the attention given to flora and fauna in his picture book illustrations, as well as his book of fictional plants from 1977, Parallel Botany. The sculpture is a blending of the organic and the abstract, giving the piece a fantastic, otherworldly appearance."
- Here is the Frederick page on the site Teaching Children Philosophy: https://www.teachingchildrenphilosophy.org/BookModule/Frederick
- Thank you again, Benji Martin, for the faux and very kind award! Betsy and Kate received The 2019 Kid Lit Podcast Award: https://elementaryschoollibrarian.wordpress.com/2019/02/12/the-2019-kid-lit-podcast-awards/
- For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/02/18/fuse-8-n-kate-frederick-by-leo-lionni/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/573434112Episode 76 - The Paper Bag PrincessMon, 11 Feb 2019 04:31:04 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-76-the-paper-bag-princess
00:42:08Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoThis week, Betsy found a nice calm little book and discussed it in a nice calm little way. Fear not, though. There is PLENTY to pick apart. The fact that a Dude In Distress can be simplified to: "The D.I.D." Who you would cast as the dragon in the movie of this book (which, let's admit it, it's a little weird that it HASN'T been turned into an animated full-length feature film yet)? And how exactly do you pronounce "Munsch"? All will be made clear.
Show Notes:
- Kudos to Mr. Munsch for including all kinds of wonderful information for each of his books on his website. With that in mind, here's his page for The Paper Bag Princess: https://robertmunsch.com/book/the-paper-bag-princess
- I think we had the image of the princess punching Ronald in the nose in an early draft of Wild Things: Acts of Mischief in Children's Literature: http://wildthings.blaine.org/?page_id=32
- We dunno. We think we kind of want to see the version of this where the princess takes Ronald's clothes when he criticizes her.
- This is the great school photography project photograph that we love so very very much: https://www.deviantart.com/fit51391/art/The-Paper-Bag-Princess-144606128
- It comes in at #86 on the Top 100 Picture Book polls: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/05/18/top-100-picture-books-86-the-paper-bag-princess-by-robert-munsch/
- We quote from Tales for Little Rebels. Can't help but always recommend this book. It was ahead of its time when it first came out: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2009/02/16/review-of-the-day-tales-for-little-rebels-by-julie-l-mickenberg-and-philip-nel/
- Here is what The Toast had to say about The Paper Bag Princess: http://the-toast.net/2015/05/12/they-didnt-get-married-after-all-robert-munschs-the-paper-bag-princess/
- For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/02/11/fuse-8-n-kate-the-paper-bag-princess-by-robert-munsch-ill-michael-martchenkoThis week, Betsy found a nice calm little book an…This week, Betsy found a nice calm little book and discussed it in a nice calm little way. Fear not, though. There is PLENTY to pick apart. The fact that a Dude In Distress can be simplified to: "The D.I.D." Who you would cast as the dragon in the movie of this book (which, let's admit it, it's a little weird that it HASN'T been turned into an animated full-length feature film yet)? And how exactly do you pronounce "Munsch"? All will be made clear.
Show Notes:
- Kudos to Mr. Munsch for including all kinds of wonderful information for each of his books on his website. With that in mind, here's his page for The Paper Bag Princess: https://robertmunsch.com/book/the-paper-bag-princess
- I think we had the image of the princess punching Ronald in the nose in an early draft of Wild Things: Acts of Mischief in Children's Literature: http://wildthings.blaine.org/?page_id=32
- We dunno. We think we kind of want to see the version of this where the princess takes Ronald's clothes when he criticizes her.
- This is the great school photography project photograph that we love so very very much: https://www.deviantart.com/fit51391/art/The-Paper-Bag-Princess-144606128
- It comes in at #86 on the Top 100 Picture Book polls: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/05/18/top-100-picture-books-86-the-paper-bag-princess-by-robert-munsch/
- We quote from Tales for Little Rebels. Can't help but always recommend this book. It was ahead of its time when it first came out: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2009/02/16/review-of-the-day-tales-for-little-rebels-by-julie-l-mickenberg-and-philip-nel/
- Here is what The Toast had to say about The Paper Bag Princess: http://the-toast.net/2015/05/12/they-didnt-get-married-after-all-robert-munschs-the-paper-bag-princess/
- For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/02/11/fuse-8-n-kate-the-paper-bag-princess-by-robert-munsch-ill-michael-martchenkotag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/570355185Episode 75 - Big Red LollipopTue, 05 Feb 2019 04:43:55 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-75-big-red-lollipop
00:45:00Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoIt just seemed to make sense to do a book this week that could kill two birds with one stone. Betsy and Kate haven't done any picture books by Muslim-American (or, in this case, Muslim-Canadian) authors. So Betsy took a look at New York Public Library's 100 Children's Books, 100 Years list and selected Big Red Lollipop. And who did the illustrations? The latest double Caldecott Award winner, Sophie Blackall. Of course, this is a sister book. Betsy is the older sister. Kate is the little sister. So how exactly are they going to take this book of younger sister brattiness? The two also consider what ungodly suburban mom came up with the idea of goodie bags in the first place, Betsy gets to yell, "REVENGE!!!" several times, and Kate keeps bringing up Ariana Grande.
Show Notes:
- Correct us if we're wrong, Canadians. Are your goodie bags called "loot bags". And when, gentle readers, did gift bags become a standard presence at birthday parties?
- This the video of Rukhsana Khan telling this story from her (the little sister's) point of view. You have to watch this. Heck, skip listening to this podcast and just view this instead. Then let's find places for her to speak publicly here in the States, because we want to see her talk NOW. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8UQWdhhy8s
- Betsy believed that her mother said that the odd board game she remembered from my youth was called Count Your Chickens. We have since discovered that this is not true. It was actually called (and you can understand why none of us remembered the name) A Chicken in Every Plot. It was sold by a company called Animal Town which specialized in these odd little games that had names like "Madison Avenue", "Dam Builders", and "Save the Whales". Remember, this is why we invented the internet, people.
- A cookie to anyone who can name me a villainous elephant in a children's book. Go!
- For the complete Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/02/05/fuse-8-n-kate-big-red-lollipop-by-rukhsana-khanIt just seemed to make sense to do a book this we…It just seemed to make sense to do a book this week that could kill two birds with one stone. Betsy and Kate haven't done any picture books by Muslim-American (or, in this case, Muslim-Canadian) authors. So Betsy took a look at New York Public Library's 100 Children's Books, 100 Years list and selected Big Red Lollipop. And who did the illustrations? The latest double Caldecott Award winner, Sophie Blackall. Of course, this is a sister book. Betsy is the older sister. Kate is the little sister. So how exactly are they going to take this book of younger sister brattiness? The two also consider what ungodly suburban mom came up with the idea of goodie bags in the first place, Betsy gets to yell, "REVENGE!!!" several times, and Kate keeps bringing up Ariana Grande.
Show Notes:
- Correct us if we're wrong, Canadians. Are your goodie bags called "loot bags". And when, gentle readers, did gift bags become a standard presence at birthday parties?
- This the video of Rukhsana Khan telling this story from her (the little sister's) point of view. You have to watch this. Heck, skip listening to this podcast and just view this instead. Then let's find places for her to speak publicly here in the States, because we want to see her talk NOW. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8UQWdhhy8s
- Betsy believed that her mother said that the odd board game she remembered from my youth was called Count Your Chickens. We have since discovered that this is not true. It was actually called (and you can understand why none of us remembered the name) A Chicken in Every Plot. It was sold by a company called Animal Town which specialized in these odd little games that had names like "Madison Avenue", "Dam Builders", and "Save the Whales". Remember, this is why we invented the internet, people.
- A cookie to anyone who can name me a villainous elephant in a children's book. Go!
- For the complete Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/02/05/fuse-8-n-kate-big-red-lollipop-by-rukhsana-khantag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/565712100Episode 74 - The Day Jimmy's Boa Ate the WashMon, 28 Jan 2019 04:53:59 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-73-the-day-jimmys-boa-ate-the-wash
00:40:50Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoIt's the Memento of the 1980s! Take a trip back in time with us to 1980 on the nosey. An era when children apparently eschewed backpacks for satchels and school lunches were just as elaborate as those in Bread and Jam for Frances. Don't believe me? Then you haven't taken an up close and personal deep dive into one of Kellogg's most famous stories. Kate had never seen a Steven Kellogg book on the show before, so Betsy figured they'd give this one a go. It's perfect for them since Kellogg was the master of the peculiar detail. He's an illustrator that rewards close readings and, for this, we salute him.
Show Notes:
- If anyone out there can tell us what the 1980s cooperative board game of Betsy's youth involving chickens was, we invite the information.
- We only knew about this book back in the day because of Reading Rainbow. Take a trip back in time with us, kids!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76xzBWjS2dg
- For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/01/28/fuse-8-n-kate-the-day-jimmys-boa-ate-the-wash-by-trinka-hakes-noble-ill-steven-kelloggIt's the Memento of the 1980s! Take a trip back i…It's the Memento of the 1980s! Take a trip back in time with us to 1980 on the nosey. An era when children apparently eschewed backpacks for satchels and school lunches were just as elaborate as those in Bread and Jam for Frances. Don't believe me? Then you haven't taken an up close and personal deep dive into one of Kellogg's most famous stories. Kate had never seen a Steven Kellogg book on the show before, so Betsy figured they'd give this one a go. It's perfect for them since Kellogg was the master of the peculiar detail. He's an illustrator that rewards close readings and, for this, we salute him.
Show Notes:
- If anyone out there can tell us what the 1980s cooperative board game of Betsy's youth involving chickens was, we invite the information.
- We only knew about this book back in the day because of Reading Rainbow. Take a trip back in time with us, kids!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76xzBWjS2dg
- For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/01/28/fuse-8-n-kate-the-day-jimmys-boa-ate-the-wash-by-trinka-hakes-noble-ill-steven-kelloggtag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/562209933Episode 73 - Doctor De SotoMon, 21 Jan 2019 04:32:34 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-72-doctor-de-soto
00:43:52Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoAnd we're back to the classics. So far on this podcast, Kate and Betsy have tackled only one William Steig (Sylvester and the Magic Pebble). As per usual, Kate notices things. She notices that the initials of Doctor De Soto are DDS, which is a dental detail Betsy had never thought of before. She notices a rather lovely umbrella stand bedecked with dragons. She notices mouse dentures (and how creepy mouse dentures would be in real life). For Betsy's part, she gets to imitate the sound of a rotten tooth being removed from a fox's mouth (there's a distinct pop at the end) and the two debate whether or not the old No Cavities Forever solution is legit or not.
Show Notes:
- This book was definitely was published after Sylvester, by the way. Sylvester came out way back in 1969.
- Why DID people wrap their heads up with handkerchiefs when they had toothaches?
- Can you think of a classic fox book where the fox is heroic rather than sneaky and sly?
- This book came in at #57 on the Top 100 Picture Books Poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/05/25/top-100-picture-books-57-doctor-de-soto-by-william-steig/
- The animated short of Doctor De Soto that was nominated for an Academy Award does not appear to be online. Unless, of course, it's this Weston Woods video with its simply marvelous narratorhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGDz1orKRY8
- Read the full Show Notes here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/01/21/fuse-8-n-kate-doctor-de-soto-by-william-steigAnd we're back to the classics. So far on this po…And we're back to the classics. So far on this podcast, Kate and Betsy have tackled only one William Steig (Sylvester and the Magic Pebble). As per usual, Kate notices things. She notices that the initials of Doctor De Soto are DDS, which is a dental detail Betsy had never thought of before. She notices a rather lovely umbrella stand bedecked with dragons. She notices mouse dentures (and how creepy mouse dentures would be in real life). For Betsy's part, she gets to imitate the sound of a rotten tooth being removed from a fox's mouth (there's a distinct pop at the end) and the two debate whether or not the old No Cavities Forever solution is legit or not.
Show Notes:
- This book was definitely was published after Sylvester, by the way. Sylvester came out way back in 1969.
- Why DID people wrap their heads up with handkerchiefs when they had toothaches?
- Can you think of a classic fox book where the fox is heroic rather than sneaky and sly?
- This book came in at #57 on the Top 100 Picture Books Poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/05/25/top-100-picture-books-57-doctor-de-soto-by-william-steig/
- The animated short of Doctor De Soto that was nominated for an Academy Award does not appear to be online. Unless, of course, it's this Weston Woods video with its simply marvelous narratorhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGDz1orKRY8
- Read the full Show Notes here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/01/21/fuse-8-n-kate-doctor-de-soto-by-william-steigtag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/558710652Episode 72 - Caldecott ContendersMon, 14 Jan 2019 05:01:19 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-71-caldecott-contenders
00:42:36Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoLast year Kate and Betsy discussed three potential Caldecott winners, and two would later receive medals. This year, the two discuss Dreamers by Yuyi Morales, Blue by Laura Vaccaro Seeger, and We Don't Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins. And, as per usual, Kate brings up stuff Betsy never considered before. Questions like, how exactly does Penelope Rex eat her classmates so quickly (does she unhinge her jaw?). What does "caminantes" mean? And does the guy in Blue rename his girlfriend's dog? Kate has a violent reaction to one of the three books that Betsy finds deeply amusing. Then they out that Frances, from Bread and Jam for Frances, was originally supposed to be a vole, and Betsy's mind. Is. Blown.
Show Notes:
- Actually Pete Seeger is Laura Vaccaro Seeger's husband's uncle, not her own. Uncle-in-law, let's say.
- Here is the PW interview Yuyi Morales and Neal Porter that gave a lot of great background information to Dreamers: https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-authors/article/77766-in-conversation-yuyi-morales-and-neal-porter.html
- Here is the Horn Book interview with Laura Vaccaro Seeger that discussed Blue: https://www.hbook.com/2018/12/publishers-preview-picture-books-five-questions-laura-vaccaro-seeger/
- And here is the PW interview with Ryan T. Higgins about We Don't Eat Our Classmates: https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-authors/article/77167-q-a-with-ryan-t-higgins.html
- Kate was completely right, by the way. The Triceratops and T.rex were contemporaries. Here's the article I was thinking of when I said the T.rex was farther from the Stegosaurus than we are from the T.rex: https://gizmodo.com/less-time-separates-us-from-t-rex-than-t-rex-from-stego-1614025559
- You can find the link to the Frances / Debbi Michiko Florence, Jasmine Toguchi series here, as spotted by Emily Schneider: https://imaginaryelevators.blog/2019/01/06/jasmine-toguchi-what-was-a-talent-anyway/
- Glynis Johns read all the Frances books?!? This is huge news!
- And here is Kate's board game. Sadly, less one Madame Mim: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/256382/villainous
- Be sure to stay for Kate's um-num-num-num-num.
- Find the full Show Notes here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/01/14/fuse-8-n-kate-2019-caldecott-contendersLast year Kate and Betsy discussed three potentia…Last year Kate and Betsy discussed three potential Caldecott winners, and two would later receive medals. This year, the two discuss Dreamers by Yuyi Morales, Blue by Laura Vaccaro Seeger, and We Don't Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins. And, as per usual, Kate brings up stuff Betsy never considered before. Questions like, how exactly does Penelope Rex eat her classmates so quickly (does she unhinge her jaw?). What does "caminantes" mean? And does the guy in Blue rename his girlfriend's dog? Kate has a violent reaction to one of the three books that Betsy finds deeply amusing. Then they out that Frances, from Bread and Jam for Frances, was originally supposed to be a vole, and Betsy's mind. Is. Blown.
Show Notes:
- Actually Pete Seeger is Laura Vaccaro Seeger's husband's uncle, not her own. Uncle-in-law, let's say.
- Here is the PW interview Yuyi Morales and Neal Porter that gave a lot of great background information to Dreamers: https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-authors/article/77766-in-conversation-yuyi-morales-and-neal-porter.html
- Here is the Horn Book interview with Laura Vaccaro Seeger that discussed Blue: https://www.hbook.com/2018/12/publishers-preview-picture-books-five-questions-laura-vaccaro-seeger/
- And here is the PW interview with Ryan T. Higgins about We Don't Eat Our Classmates: https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-authors/article/77167-q-a-with-ryan-t-higgins.html
- Kate was completely right, by the way. The Triceratops and T.rex were contemporaries. Here's the article I was thinking of when I said the T.rex was farther from the Stegosaurus than we are from the T.rex: https://gizmodo.com/less-time-separates-us-from-t-rex-than-t-rex-from-stego-1614025559
- You can find the link to the Frances / Debbi Michiko Florence, Jasmine Toguchi series here, as spotted by Emily Schneider: https://imaginaryelevators.blog/2019/01/06/jasmine-toguchi-what-was-a-talent-anyway/
- Glynis Johns read all the Frances books?!? This is huge news!
- And here is Kate's board game. Sadly, less one Madame Mim: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/256382/villainous
- Be sure to stay for Kate's um-num-num-num-num.
- Find the full Show Notes here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/01/14/fuse-8-n-kate-2019-caldecott-contenderstag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/555210555Episode 71 - Bread and Jam for FrancesMon, 07 Jan 2019 05:15:19 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-71-bread-and-jam-for-frances
00:43:24Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoHungry? With the new year comes a whole set of resolutions. Not knowing that Kate is on the Whole30 again, Betsy forces her to read a book where bread plays a major role. Bread, heck. This is a book that could turn children into bonafide foodies. In spite of the fact that all badgers are born in February, we've decided to do this book in January. And then, in the course of things, Kate starts looking up what the USDA recommendations are for children, we consider the wackadoodle utensils of the Badger household, what exactly a lobster salad sandwich is, etc. As Kate points out, this is a perfect New Year's Resolution book because in the story you are encouraged to try new things and break out of your comfort zone. Justification!
Show Notes:
- If you're curious about the interview Betsy conducted with Russell Hoban in 2010, you can read the transcript here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/04/24/discovered-in-the-archives-an-interview-with-russell-hoban-2010/
- Is Frances actually the most famous badger in children's literature? The only other contender that comes immediately to mind is Badger from The Wind in the Willows but how many American children can remember him off the tops of their heads?
- The book showed up at #27 on the Top 100 Picture Books poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/06/05/top-100-childrens-novels-27-bread-and-jam-for-frances-by-russell-hoban-illustrated-by-lillian-hoban/
- You can hear the entire text of the book here in this video. And you have to admit, that's a better egg song than the one Betsy came up with: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-KggLPnRYg
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/01/07/fuse-8-n-kate-bread-and-jam-for-frances-by-russell-hoban-ill-lillian-hoban/Hungry? With the new year comes a whole set of re…Hungry? With the new year comes a whole set of resolutions. Not knowing that Kate is on the Whole30 again, Betsy forces her to read a book where bread plays a major role. Bread, heck. This is a book that could turn children into bonafide foodies. In spite of the fact that all badgers are born in February, we've decided to do this book in January. And then, in the course of things, Kate starts looking up what the USDA recommendations are for children, we consider the wackadoodle utensils of the Badger household, what exactly a lobster salad sandwich is, etc. As Kate points out, this is a perfect New Year's Resolution book because in the story you are encouraged to try new things and break out of your comfort zone. Justification!
Show Notes:
- If you're curious about the interview Betsy conducted with Russell Hoban in 2010, you can read the transcript here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/04/24/discovered-in-the-archives-an-interview-with-russell-hoban-2010/
- Is Frances actually the most famous badger in children's literature? The only other contender that comes immediately to mind is Badger from The Wind in the Willows but how many American children can remember him off the tops of their heads?
- The book showed up at #27 on the Top 100 Picture Books poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/06/05/top-100-childrens-novels-27-bread-and-jam-for-frances-by-russell-hoban-illustrated-by-lillian-hoban/
- You can hear the entire text of the book here in this video. And you have to admit, that's a better egg song than the one Betsy came up with: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-KggLPnRYg
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/01/07/fuse-8-n-kate-bread-and-jam-for-frances-by-russell-hoban-ill-lillian-hoban/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/549648831Episode 70 - Knuffle BunnyMon, 24 Dec 2018 21:30:57 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-70-knuffle-bunny
00:40:12Betsy Bird and Kate Ramseyno"I can always be called upon to remember a Snurp".
Merry Christmas! Let's celebrate with a book that has absolutely nothing to do with the day in question whatsonever. So I know you're all wondering what elements Kate chose to focus on with this book. Would she like it more than Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus? Less? Well, we'll sum it up for you. We discuss at length the proper way to wash a pure white bra, the genetic dominance of a character's eyes (or lack thereof), and the proper way to pick up a sack of screaming, flailing meat when it is your child.
Show Notes:
- Came in #7 on the Top 100 Picture Books Poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/06/19/top-100-picture-books-7-knuffle-bunny-a-cautionary-tale-by-mo-willems/
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/12/25/fuse-8-n-kate-knuffle-bunny-by-mo-willems"I can always be called upon to remember a Snurp"…"I can always be called upon to remember a Snurp".
Merry Christmas! Let's celebrate with a book that has absolutely nothing to do with the day in question whatsonever. So I know you're all wondering what elements Kate chose to focus on with this book. Would she like it more than Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus? Less? Well, we'll sum it up for you. We discuss at length the proper way to wash a pure white bra, the genetic dominance of a character's eyes (or lack thereof), and the proper way to pick up a sack of screaming, flailing meat when it is your child.
Show Notes:
- Came in #7 on the Top 100 Picture Books Poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/06/19/top-100-picture-books-7-knuffle-bunny-a-cautionary-tale-by-mo-willems/
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/12/25/fuse-8-n-kate-knuffle-bunny-by-mo-willemstag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/546586908Episode 69 - How the Grinch Stole Christmas!Tue, 18 Dec 2018 05:20:12 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-69-how-the-grinch-stole-christmas
00:45:56Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoThe last time Kate and Betsy saw a Dr. Seuss book they were reading If I Ran the Zoo. Not an auspicious beginning for the usually good doctor. In the course of this particular book, Kate manages to locate a place where Seuss got lazy and Xeroxed one of his two-page spreads (something Betsy had never noticed before). There is also talk about Thurl Ravenscroft (and how dead he is), odd Grinch theories, like the fact that his heart may expand and shrink regularly, and are these chimneys essentially pneumatic tubes that suck up the bags?
One of our favorite episodes in a long time.
Show Notes:
- This book appeared at #61 on the Top 100 Picture Books Poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/05/23/top-100-picture-books-61-how-the-grinch-stole-christmas-by-dr-seuss/
- Ask and the universe will provide. Here is Zero Mostel reading The Grinch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hts_sj-0_14
- And heck. While we're on the subject, here's Walter Matthau reading The Grinch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuq3AqIjtAg
- Halloween is Grinch Night! Betsy still harbors a weird affection for this. Partly because Hans Conried (who starred in the live action Seuss film The 10,000 Fingers of Dr. T) did the Grinch's voice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygSEkwRCQPM
For the complete Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/12/18/fuse-8-n-kate-how-the-grinch-stole-christmas-by-dr-seuss/The last time Kate and Betsy saw a Dr. Seuss book…The last time Kate and Betsy saw a Dr. Seuss book they were reading If I Ran the Zoo. Not an auspicious beginning for the usually good doctor. In the course of this particular book, Kate manages to locate a place where Seuss got lazy and Xeroxed one of his two-page spreads (something Betsy had never noticed before). There is also talk about Thurl Ravenscroft (and how dead he is), odd Grinch theories, like the fact that his heart may expand and shrink regularly, and are these chimneys essentially pneumatic tubes that suck up the bags?
One of our favorite episodes in a long time.
Show Notes:
- This book appeared at #61 on the Top 100 Picture Books Poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/05/23/top-100-picture-books-61-how-the-grinch-stole-christmas-by-dr-seuss/
- Ask and the universe will provide. Here is Zero Mostel reading The Grinch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hts_sj-0_14
- And heck. While we're on the subject, here's Walter Matthau reading The Grinch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuq3AqIjtAg
- Halloween is Grinch Night! Betsy still harbors a weird affection for this. Partly because Hans Conried (who starred in the live action Seuss film The 10,000 Fingers of Dr. T) did the Grinch's voice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygSEkwRCQPM
For the complete Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/12/18/fuse-8-n-kate-how-the-grinch-stole-christmas-by-dr-seuss/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/543297966Episode 68 - The Latke Who Couldn't Stop Screaming-A Christmas StoryTue, 11 Dec 2018 06:15:23 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-68-the-latke-who-couldnt-stop-screaming-a-christmas-story
00:43:43Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoAfter doing Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins last year, Betsy was having a devil of a time (no pun intended) figuring out another Hanukkah classic. After some serious consideration, she decided that this book would give us, as she says on the podcast, a little meat. A little fodder. Something to discuss. What she didn't see coming, though, was how timely this story truly was. How does it feel to live in a society that is constantly pummeling you with religious messages that are not your own? Little wonder the latke screams.
Show Notes:
- Betsy mentions Funny Girl. Golly, that would make a swell gift for people to give to their 9-12 year old loved ones. Check it out here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/318948/funny-girl-by-betsy-bird/9780147517838/
- Interested in getting your own full series of Baby Be of Use? I am pleased to announce that they are for sale on Lisa Brown's website: http://www.americanchickens.com/baby-be-of-use/
- A staged production of this book, eh? Here's an ad for one that will make you sad you missed your chance to see it live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0frEnxt1tM
- In case you missed it, you can see the NPR Book Concierge here: https://apps.npr.org/best-books-2018/
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/12/11/fuse-8-n-kate-the-latke-who-couldnt-stop-screaming-by-lemony-snicket-ill-lisa-brown/After doing Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins last…After doing Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins last year, Betsy was having a devil of a time (no pun intended) figuring out another Hanukkah classic. After some serious consideration, she decided that this book would give us, as she says on the podcast, a little meat. A little fodder. Something to discuss. What she didn't see coming, though, was how timely this story truly was. How does it feel to live in a society that is constantly pummeling you with religious messages that are not your own? Little wonder the latke screams.
Show Notes:
- Betsy mentions Funny Girl. Golly, that would make a swell gift for people to give to their 9-12 year old loved ones. Check it out here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/318948/funny-girl-by-betsy-bird/9780147517838/
- Interested in getting your own full series of Baby Be of Use? I am pleased to announce that they are for sale on Lisa Brown's website: http://www.americanchickens.com/baby-be-of-use/
- A staged production of this book, eh? Here's an ad for one that will make you sad you missed your chance to see it live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0frEnxt1tM
- In case you missed it, you can see the NPR Book Concierge here: https://apps.npr.org/best-books-2018/
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/12/11/fuse-8-n-kate-the-latke-who-couldnt-stop-screaming-by-lemony-snicket-ill-lisa-brown/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/538991451Episode 67 - The Mysteries of Harris BurdickMon, 03 Dec 2018 04:27:17 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-67-the-mysteries-of-harris-burdick
00:35:41Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoTruly a book for our times. Is there any other picture book out there that causes kids to question what they've been told right from the start, more than this one? This book is timely. It prepares children, in an era of news that is not always reliable, to not take everything at face value.
Warning: At one point during the end of the podcast Betsy does briefly mix up Zul and Zod. Children of the 80s, please forgive her.
Show Notes:
- Here is the highly strange Wikipedia entry for this book. Once the entry goes on to 1993 it gets highly confusing. Yet another example of not believing everything you read? Considering that we're talking about Wikipedia, that would follow: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mysteries_of_Harris_Burdick
- The website for this book is called Who Is Harris Burdick? Highly worth your time. It's filled with so much fun stuff! It may not have been touched since 2011, but it's still fun and fantastic. Educator guides, tips for writers, tips for teachers, kids stories, etc. http://www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/features/harrisburdick/index.html
- For The Chronicles of Harris Burdick, here is the official video the authors made of it and awww! Walter Dean Myers! Stay for the end: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=M3kpYep7EQw
- You can see some animations for two of the stories here. The animation for The Seven Chairs isn't too bad, but Uninvited Guests is creeeeepy... http://www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/features/harrisburdick/inspired_by_burdick.html
- Watch this song inspired by The Seven Chairs instead: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKYkFsggPK8
- The 2008 musical of the show did indeed exist. Here's a song for "Under the Rug" performed at the 92nd Street Y: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrqTNUx7Uxg
- For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/12/03/fuse-8-n-kate-the-mysteries-of-harris-burdick-by-chris-van-allsburgTruly a book for our times. Is there any other pi…Truly a book for our times. Is there any other picture book out there that causes kids to question what they've been told right from the start, more than this one? This book is timely. It prepares children, in an era of news that is not always reliable, to not take everything at face value.
Warning: At one point during the end of the podcast Betsy does briefly mix up Zul and Zod. Children of the 80s, please forgive her.
Show Notes:
- Here is the highly strange Wikipedia entry for this book. Once the entry goes on to 1993 it gets highly confusing. Yet another example of not believing everything you read? Considering that we're talking about Wikipedia, that would follow: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mysteries_of_Harris_Burdick
- The website for this book is called Who Is Harris Burdick? Highly worth your time. It's filled with so much fun stuff! It may not have been touched since 2011, but it's still fun and fantastic. Educator guides, tips for writers, tips for teachers, kids stories, etc. http://www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/features/harrisburdick/index.html
- For The Chronicles of Harris Burdick, here is the official video the authors made of it and awww! Walter Dean Myers! Stay for the end: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=M3kpYep7EQw
- You can see some animations for two of the stories here. The animation for The Seven Chairs isn't too bad, but Uninvited Guests is creeeeepy... http://www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/features/harrisburdick/inspired_by_burdick.html
- Watch this song inspired by The Seven Chairs instead: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKYkFsggPK8
- The 2008 musical of the show did indeed exist. Here's a song for "Under the Rug" performed at the 92nd Street Y: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrqTNUx7Uxg
- For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/12/03/fuse-8-n-kate-the-mysteries-of-harris-burdick-by-chris-van-allsburgtag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/535553907Episode 66 - Arrow to the SunMon, 26 Nov 2018 04:39:56 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-66-arrow-to-the-sun
00:44:00Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoLet's see. After Tikki Tikki Tembo and Little Black Sambo, it seems like Arrow to the Sun is the natural complement to those two, don't you think? Kate and Betsy haven't dug deep into a book with racist issues in a while, and they've never done any books where white folks told the stories of American Indians. In this post-Thanksgiving episode the sisters give as much of the history of this book as possible, all thanks to the work of K.T. Horning and Debbie Reese. Meanwhile, Kate gets confused about the actual storytelling itself, and Betsy cannot get over how a book from 1974 looks this much like a video game.
Show Notes:
- Behold and marvel at the lack of information on the Wikipedia entry for this book: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arrow_to_the_Sun
- K.T. Horning's Horn Book article Arrow to the Sun and Critical Controversies is a piece Betsy cribbed (read: stole) from heavily for this podcast episode: https://www.hbook.com/2013/09/choosing-books/horn-book-magazine/arrow-to-the-sun-and-critical-controversies/
- Pitfall came out in 1982, by the way.
- For the record, the song "Cat's in the Cradle" came out in 1974. The same year as this book. Coincidence?!?
- There are two articles on Arrow to the Sun on the blog American Indians in Children's Literature. The first dates back to 2006: https://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/2006/10/gerald-mcdermotts-arrow-to-sun-gerald.html
- The second from 2009 looks at the book's discussion guide: https://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/2009/04/scholastic-guide-to-arrow-to-sun.html
- Ten years later that discussion guide is still going strong on the Scholastic site: http://www.scholastic.com/browse/collateral.jsp?id=32388
- This would be the "book" sequence in Hocus Pocus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKNm3KVDq28
- Go here to see The Neon Museum of Las Vegas: https://www.neonmuseum.org/
- For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/11/26/fuse-8-n-kate-arrow-to-the-sun-by-gerald-mcdermottLet's see. After Tikki Tikki Tembo and Little Bla…Let's see. After Tikki Tikki Tembo and Little Black Sambo, it seems like Arrow to the Sun is the natural complement to those two, don't you think? Kate and Betsy haven't dug deep into a book with racist issues in a while, and they've never done any books where white folks told the stories of American Indians. In this post-Thanksgiving episode the sisters give as much of the history of this book as possible, all thanks to the work of K.T. Horning and Debbie Reese. Meanwhile, Kate gets confused about the actual storytelling itself, and Betsy cannot get over how a book from 1974 looks this much like a video game.
Show Notes:
- Behold and marvel at the lack of information on the Wikipedia entry for this book: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arrow_to_the_Sun
- K.T. Horning's Horn Book article Arrow to the Sun and Critical Controversies is a piece Betsy cribbed (read: stole) from heavily for this podcast episode: https://www.hbook.com/2013/09/choosing-books/horn-book-magazine/arrow-to-the-sun-and-critical-controversies/
- Pitfall came out in 1982, by the way.
- For the record, the song "Cat's in the Cradle" came out in 1974. The same year as this book. Coincidence?!?
- There are two articles on Arrow to the Sun on the blog American Indians in Children's Literature. The first dates back to 2006: https://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/2006/10/gerald-mcdermotts-arrow-to-sun-gerald.html
- The second from 2009 looks at the book's discussion guide: https://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/2009/04/scholastic-guide-to-arrow-to-sun.html
- Ten years later that discussion guide is still going strong on the Scholastic site: http://www.scholastic.com/browse/collateral.jsp?id=32388
- This would be the "book" sequence in Hocus Pocus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKNm3KVDq28
- Go here to see The Neon Museum of Las Vegas: https://www.neonmuseum.org/
- For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/11/26/fuse-8-n-kate-arrow-to-the-sun-by-gerald-mcdermotttag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/532065690Episode 65 - William's DollMon, 19 Nov 2018 05:33:35 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-65-williams-doll
00:42:37Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoWilliam's Doll: Revenge of the Ascot!
The big news of the day is that Kate and Betsy have created a petition. It's the very first they've ever done and its purpose is simple. As you'll hear on today's podcast, they are big time fans of today's book, but they'd rather like it if Harper Collins could publish a re-illustrated edition. The reasons for this are, as you will hear, pretty clear. With different clothing, they think William's story could reach a whole new slew of kids, and really strike the message home. That said, in the podcast Betsy does make one key mistake. She says that this book was published by Greenwillow. In point of fact, it was published by Harper & Row. It is not a Greenwillow book. So ignore that part of the podcast but do NOT disregard the petition. They would love it if they could get you on board so that William can meet a whole new generation of fans:
https://www.change.org/p/harper-collins-reillustrate-william-s-doll-for-today-s-kids
Show Notes:
- William Pène du Bois was from (and we love this city name) Nutley, New Jersey. Interestingly, he did live in France for a time, and ultimately died in Nice, France.
- "Brown plaid brilliance!" Kate would like to clarify that she was trying to say that Diane von Furstenberg designed the grandmother's wrap dress. And Betsy takes back what she said about the woman's shoes. Those aren't "sensible" at all. They're gorgeous. By the way, we never ever see her face either, a fact Kate and Betsy both missed.
- Let us point out that even this animated sequence from Free to Be You and Me has William wearing more appropriate clothing than in the book: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lshobg1Wt2M
- For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/11/19/fuse-8-n-kate-williams-doll-by-charlotte-zolotow-ill-william-pene-du-bois/William's Doll: Revenge of the Ascot!
The big ne…William's Doll: Revenge of the Ascot!
The big news of the day is that Kate and Betsy have created a petition. It's the very first they've ever done and its purpose is simple. As you'll hear on today's podcast, they are big time fans of today's book, but they'd rather like it if Harper Collins could publish a re-illustrated edition. The reasons for this are, as you will hear, pretty clear. With different clothing, they think William's story could reach a whole new slew of kids, and really strike the message home. That said, in the podcast Betsy does make one key mistake. She says that this book was published by Greenwillow. In point of fact, it was published by Harper & Row. It is not a Greenwillow book. So ignore that part of the podcast but do NOT disregard the petition. They would love it if they could get you on board so that William can meet a whole new generation of fans:
https://www.change.org/p/harper-collins-reillustrate-william-s-doll-for-today-s-kids
Show Notes:
- William Pène du Bois was from (and we love this city name) Nutley, New Jersey. Interestingly, he did live in France for a time, and ultimately died in Nice, France.
- "Brown plaid brilliance!" Kate would like to clarify that she was trying to say that Diane von Furstenberg designed the grandmother's wrap dress. And Betsy takes back what she said about the woman's shoes. Those aren't "sensible" at all. They're gorgeous. By the way, we never ever see her face either, a fact Kate and Betsy both missed.
- Let us point out that even this animated sequence from Free to Be You and Me has William wearing more appropriate clothing than in the book: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lshobg1Wt2M
- For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/11/19/fuse-8-n-kate-williams-doll-by-charlotte-zolotow-ill-william-pene-du-bois/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/528463572Episode 64 - If You Give a Mouse a CookieMon, 12 Nov 2018 04:35:25 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-64-if-you-give-a-mouse-a-cookie
00:40:53Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoWe're just going to give away the game and break down exactly how this podcast plays out between Kate and Betsy. As you will recall, Bets is a parent of two small children. Kate is not. So when the two sisters read this book, Kate became a full-throated supported of Team Mouse, while Betsy put all of her money down on Team Run-Ragged Kid. Listen and you'll hear how clearly delineated the line is between parents and non-parents.
Show Notes:
- We were actually able to find the Peanuts strip that referenced this book. And voila. From May 25th, 1995: https://www.gocomics.com/peanuts/1995/05/25
- Here are the sequels mentioned:
If You Give a Moose a Muffin
If You Give a Pig a Pancake
If You Give a Take a Mouse to the Movies
If You Give a Take a Mouse to School
If You Give a Pig a Party
If You Give a Cat a Cupcake
If You Give a Dog a Donut
If You Give a Give a Mouse a Brownie
"If You Give a Bird a Bundt Cake", Kate's suggestion, is completely up for grabs if anyone wants to write that.
- We know you wanted to see it. Here is Michelle Obama reading the book in question: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZuCPWjCdgY
- Here's the post from I'm Here, I'm Queer, What the Hell Do I Read? for If You Give a Gay Mouse a Cookie: https://www.leewind.org/2014/12/if-you-give-gay-mouse-cookie-zine-that.html
- Back by popular demand . . . Children's Stories Made Horrific: If You Give a Mouse a Cookie: http://the-toast.net/2014/01/08/give-the-mouse-nothing/
- Honestly, we're amazed that in our searching we somehow missed The Toast's fellow piece where the book is interpreted by Ayn Rand: http://the-toast.net/2015/08/11/ayn-rand-gives-a-mouse-nothing/
For the full Show Notes, please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/11/12/fuse-8-n-kate-if-you-give-a-mouse-a-cookie-by-laura-joffe-numeroffWe're just going to give away the game and break …We're just going to give away the game and break down exactly how this podcast plays out between Kate and Betsy. As you will recall, Bets is a parent of two small children. Kate is not. So when the two sisters read this book, Kate became a full-throated supported of Team Mouse, while Betsy put all of her money down on Team Run-Ragged Kid. Listen and you'll hear how clearly delineated the line is between parents and non-parents.
Show Notes:
- We were actually able to find the Peanuts strip that referenced this book. And voila. From May 25th, 1995: https://www.gocomics.com/peanuts/1995/05/25
- Here are the sequels mentioned:
If You Give a Moose a Muffin
If You Give a Pig a Pancake
If You Give a Take a Mouse to the Movies
If You Give a Take a Mouse to School
If You Give a Pig a Party
If You Give a Cat a Cupcake
If You Give a Dog a Donut
If You Give a Give a Mouse a Brownie
"If You Give a Bird a Bundt Cake", Kate's suggestion, is completely up for grabs if anyone wants to write that.
- We know you wanted to see it. Here is Michelle Obama reading the book in question: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZuCPWjCdgY
- Here's the post from I'm Here, I'm Queer, What the Hell Do I Read? for If You Give a Gay Mouse a Cookie: https://www.leewind.org/2014/12/if-you-give-gay-mouse-cookie-zine-that.html
- Back by popular demand . . . Children's Stories Made Horrific: If You Give a Mouse a Cookie: http://the-toast.net/2014/01/08/give-the-mouse-nothing/
- Honestly, we're amazed that in our searching we somehow missed The Toast's fellow piece where the book is interpreted by Ayn Rand: http://the-toast.net/2015/08/11/ayn-rand-gives-a-mouse-nothing/
For the full Show Notes, please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/11/12/fuse-8-n-kate-if-you-give-a-mouse-a-cookie-by-laura-joffe-numerofftag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/524940447Episode 63 - OliviaMon, 05 Nov 2018 04:20:08 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-63-olivia
00:40:39Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoSince Kate had such strong feelings about Madeline and Eloise, Betsy figured that they would have to go with what she considered to be the third in the triumvirate of . . . let’s call ’em strong-minded ladies. If ever you’ve wanted to know the difference between miniature pigs, pot-bellied pigs, and razorback pigs, boy, have we got the podcast for you! Kate and Betsy talk about who the most famous female pig in children’s literature is (honestly, we’ve nothing against Peppa, but wasn’t she a television star first?), which book you’d want to club someone to death with (OED for the win!), and whether or not Shel Silverstein had “a treacly streak” (he did).
Show Notes:
– Here’s the New Yorker series Betsy referred to when she spoke about Ian Falconer. The blog post was called New Yorker/Picture Book Artists: Ian Falconer – Beyond Olivia: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2011/09/08/new-yorkerpicture-book-artists-ian-falconer-beyond-olivia/
– The blog Spirit of the Bees back in 2009 did just the loveliest post by a grandmother about how she helped turn her two and a half-year-old granddaughter into the paper bag monster: http://spiritofbees.blogspot.com/2009/01/you-wish-is-my-command.html
– Came in at #54 on the Top 100 Picture Books Poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/05/25/top-100-picture-books-54-olivia-by-ian-falconer/
- For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/11/05/fuse-8-n-kate-olivia-by-ian-falconerSince Kate had such strong feelings about Madelin…Since Kate had such strong feelings about Madeline and Eloise, Betsy figured that they would have to go with what she considered to be the third in the triumvirate of . . . let’s call ’em strong-minded ladies. If ever you’ve wanted to know the difference between miniature pigs, pot-bellied pigs, and razorback pigs, boy, have we got the podcast for you! Kate and Betsy talk about who the most famous female pig in children’s literature is (honestly, we’ve nothing against Peppa, but wasn’t she a television star first?), which book you’d want to club someone to death with (OED for the win!), and whether or not Shel Silverstein had “a treacly streak” (he did).
Show Notes:
– Here’s the New Yorker series Betsy referred to when she spoke about Ian Falconer. The blog post was called New Yorker/Picture Book Artists: Ian Falconer – Beyond Olivia: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2011/09/08/new-yorkerpicture-book-artists-ian-falconer-beyond-olivia/
– The blog Spirit of the Bees back in 2009 did just the loveliest post by a grandmother about how she helped turn her two and a half-year-old granddaughter into the paper bag monster: http://spiritofbees.blogspot.com/2009/01/you-wish-is-my-command.html
– Came in at #54 on the Top 100 Picture Books Poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/05/25/top-100-picture-books-54-olivia-by-ian-falconer/
- For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/11/05/fuse-8-n-kate-olivia-by-ian-falconertag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/521413371Episode 62 - The Wolves in the WallsMon, 29 Oct 2018 04:17:31 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-62-the-wolves-in-the-walls
00:45:21Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoWhat better time to introduce Kate to the work of Dave McKean than when it's almost Halloween! Betsy tries to give her sister a good dose of nightmare fuel, but somehow the two just end up talking about what an old wolf melody would sound like and whether Dave McKean has ever drawn a bunny (he has... and it's weird).
Source Notes:
- There was indeed a virtual reality version of The Wolves in the Walls. Variety Magazine had the scoop, and they even made a trailer for it. Behold: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLp07Grch-o
- The video quality is not the best, but this will give you some sense of the stage production of The Wolves in the Walls that occurred: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_P4AxAagHU
- As Betsy mentioned, this past weekend she interviewed Adam Gidwitz at SLJ's Summit. His new podcast Grimm Grimmer Grimmest is more than a little delightful. Do check it out: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/grimm-grimmer-grimmest/id1436651521?mt=2
- For the full Show Notes, please visit us at http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/10/29/fuse-8-n-kate-the-wolves-in-the-walls-by-neil-gaiman-ill-dave-mckean/What better time to introduce Kate to the work of…What better time to introduce Kate to the work of Dave McKean than when it's almost Halloween! Betsy tries to give her sister a good dose of nightmare fuel, but somehow the two just end up talking about what an old wolf melody would sound like and whether Dave McKean has ever drawn a bunny (he has... and it's weird).
Source Notes:
- There was indeed a virtual reality version of The Wolves in the Walls. Variety Magazine had the scoop, and they even made a trailer for it. Behold: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLp07Grch-o
- The video quality is not the best, but this will give you some sense of the stage production of The Wolves in the Walls that occurred: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_P4AxAagHU
- As Betsy mentioned, this past weekend she interviewed Adam Gidwitz at SLJ's Summit. His new podcast Grimm Grimmer Grimmest is more than a little delightful. Do check it out: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/grimm-grimmer-grimmest/id1436651521?mt=2
- For the full Show Notes, please visit us at http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/10/29/fuse-8-n-kate-the-wolves-in-the-walls-by-neil-gaiman-ill-dave-mckean/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/517883424Episode 61 - The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of AnythingMon, 22 Oct 2018 03:37:56 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-61-the-little-old-lady-who-was-not-afraid-of-anything
00:39:19Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoIf you've ever listened to this podcast then you'll know that when it comes to readalouds, that particular kind of a picture book is a little difficult to convey. Fortunately, Kate immediately interprets the cover of today's book, before reading it, as a story about a gigantic, 24-ft tall pumpkin rolling towards a little old lady, Indiana Jones boulder-style, and everything takes off from there on in. In the course of our conversation, Betsy reveals who actually made this book (not something widely known), the problem of naked ghosts, suits of armor fighting Nazis, and something that at one point causes Kate to say, "You are an idiot. I hope the gloves choke you to death!"
Source Notes:
- Is Betsy the only who truly, and honestly, loves the ending of the film of Bedknobs & Broomsticks? Let's watch it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0rRPU_cvGg
-Kate's been kind enough to share her rum cake recipe with us all. It did look amazing, sitting there on her counter when I arrived. I was very good. I didn't even take a bite. Find the recipe here: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/17456/golden-rum-cake/
- For full show notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/10/22/fuse-8-n-kate-the-little-old-lady-who-was-not-afraid-of-anything-by-linda-williamsIf you've ever listened to this podcast then you'…If you've ever listened to this podcast then you'll know that when it comes to readalouds, that particular kind of a picture book is a little difficult to convey. Fortunately, Kate immediately interprets the cover of today's book, before reading it, as a story about a gigantic, 24-ft tall pumpkin rolling towards a little old lady, Indiana Jones boulder-style, and everything takes off from there on in. In the course of our conversation, Betsy reveals who actually made this book (not something widely known), the problem of naked ghosts, suits of armor fighting Nazis, and something that at one point causes Kate to say, "You are an idiot. I hope the gloves choke you to death!"
Source Notes:
- Is Betsy the only who truly, and honestly, loves the ending of the film of Bedknobs & Broomsticks? Let's watch it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0rRPU_cvGg
-Kate's been kind enough to share her rum cake recipe with us all. It did look amazing, sitting there on her counter when I arrived. I was very good. I didn't even take a bite. Find the recipe here: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/17456/golden-rum-cake/
- For full show notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/10/22/fuse-8-n-kate-the-little-old-lady-who-was-not-afraid-of-anything-by-linda-williamstag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/514455261Episode 60 - A Tiger Called ThomasMon, 15 Oct 2018 04:00:38 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-60-a-tiger-called-thomas
00:43:31Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoOlder holiday books for kids have a tendency to be a bit on the white side. So Betsy was thinking she was pretty slick when I came up with A Tiger Called Thomas for today's discussion. But here's the thing; she thought the version illustrated by Diana Cain Bluthenthal was the only one out there. She was unaware that this book hadn't just been re-illustrated once but has FOUR different artists! Just to make all of this clear from the start, the four versions discussed on this podcast are:
A Tiger Called Thomas by Charlotte Zolotow, illustrated by Kurt Werth (1963)
A Tiger Called Thomas by Charlotte Zolotow, illustrated by Catherine Stock (1988)
A Tiger Called Thomas by Charlotte Zolotow, illustrated by Diana Cain Bluthenthal (2003)
A Tiger Called Tomás by Charlotte Zolotow, illustrated by Marta Alvarez Miguéns (2018)
- This is not the first time Betsy has gone into a full-blown William's Doll rant. It's not mentioned in the podcast but the real difference here is publishers. William's Doll came out with Greenwillow. Thomas, in contrast, was originally published by Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Co., then by Hyperion, and now by Sourcebooks. It bounces around!
- Has a purely Photoshopped book ever won a Caldecott? We call upon you, my readers, to help us come up with the answer to this.
- Here are the trolls that Kate saw at the Morton Arboretum: http://www.mortonarb.org/events/troll-hunt
- For the full Show Notes, please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/10/15/fuse-8-n-kate-a-tiger-called-thomas-by-charlotte-zolotowOlder holiday books for kids have a tendency to b…Older holiday books for kids have a tendency to be a bit on the white side. So Betsy was thinking she was pretty slick when I came up with A Tiger Called Thomas for today's discussion. But here's the thing; she thought the version illustrated by Diana Cain Bluthenthal was the only one out there. She was unaware that this book hadn't just been re-illustrated once but has FOUR different artists! Just to make all of this clear from the start, the four versions discussed on this podcast are:
A Tiger Called Thomas by Charlotte Zolotow, illustrated by Kurt Werth (1963)
A Tiger Called Thomas by Charlotte Zolotow, illustrated by Catherine Stock (1988)
A Tiger Called Thomas by Charlotte Zolotow, illustrated by Diana Cain Bluthenthal (2003)
A Tiger Called Tomás by Charlotte Zolotow, illustrated by Marta Alvarez Miguéns (2018)
- This is not the first time Betsy has gone into a full-blown William's Doll rant. It's not mentioned in the podcast but the real difference here is publishers. William's Doll came out with Greenwillow. Thomas, in contrast, was originally published by Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Co., then by Hyperion, and now by Sourcebooks. It bounces around!
- Has a purely Photoshopped book ever won a Caldecott? We call upon you, my readers, to help us come up with the answer to this.
- Here are the trolls that Kate saw at the Morton Arboretum: http://www.mortonarb.org/events/troll-hunt
- For the full Show Notes, please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/10/15/fuse-8-n-kate-a-tiger-called-thomas-by-charlotte-zolotowtag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/511634058Episode 59 - Duck, Death and the TulipTue, 09 Oct 2018 04:28:04 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-59-duck-death-and-the-tulip
00:43:53Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoWe're killing two birds with one stone this week (pun reluctantly intended). A reader suggested today's book a long time ago. Add in the fact that it's October and we should be doing some Halloween-themed titles and you've got yourself today's latest edition of International Classic Picture Books. Take a trip to Germany to visit one of the loveliest, softest books about life and death out there. Maybe it's not classic Halloween fare, but we like it.
Source Notes:
- For the curious, here is the video of the weatherman's map going crazy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0jOen1G-E8
- There really are countless videos about today's book. Here are some of the standouts:
First, the quiet animated short film:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nd5Y2xj71f0
Next, a trailer for a rather lovely version that played in Edinburgh:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueQ2glggAX0
And finally, one from a country we've yet to identify: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrqB64E6roA
- The Romper article in question was called Why Duck, Death and the Tulip Is a Cult Favorite Among Authors: https://www.romper.com/p/why-duck-death-the-tulip-is-a-cult-favorite-among-authors-9599161
- Meanwhile the Brain Pickings article was Duck, Death and the Tulip: An Uncommonly Tender Illustrated Meditation On the Cycle of Life: https://www.brainpickings.org/2016/05/04/duck-death-and-the-tulip-wolf-erlbruch/
- Betsy Recommends: White Knight by Sean Murphy and Matt Hollingsworth.
- Kate Recommends: CoriTaylorMN on Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CoriTaylorMN?ref=shop_sugg
For full Show Notes, please visit us at: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/10/09/fuse-8-n-kate-duck-death-and-the-tulip-by-wolf-erlbruch/We're killing two birds with one stone this week …We're killing two birds with one stone this week (pun reluctantly intended). A reader suggested today's book a long time ago. Add in the fact that it's October and we should be doing some Halloween-themed titles and you've got yourself today's latest edition of International Classic Picture Books. Take a trip to Germany to visit one of the loveliest, softest books about life and death out there. Maybe it's not classic Halloween fare, but we like it.
Source Notes:
- For the curious, here is the video of the weatherman's map going crazy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0jOen1G-E8
- There really are countless videos about today's book. Here are some of the standouts:
First, the quiet animated short film:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nd5Y2xj71f0
Next, a trailer for a rather lovely version that played in Edinburgh:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueQ2glggAX0
And finally, one from a country we've yet to identify: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrqB64E6roA
- The Romper article in question was called Why Duck, Death and the Tulip Is a Cult Favorite Among Authors: https://www.romper.com/p/why-duck-death-the-tulip-is-a-cult-favorite-among-authors-9599161
- Meanwhile the Brain Pickings article was Duck, Death and the Tulip: An Uncommonly Tender Illustrated Meditation On the Cycle of Life: https://www.brainpickings.org/2016/05/04/duck-death-and-the-tulip-wolf-erlbruch/
- Betsy Recommends: White Knight by Sean Murphy and Matt Hollingsworth.
- Kate Recommends: CoriTaylorMN on Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CoriTaylorMN?ref=shop_sugg
For full Show Notes, please visit us at: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/10/09/fuse-8-n-kate-duck-death-and-the-tulip-by-wolf-erlbruch/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/507666672Episode 58 - The Monster at the End of this BookMon, 01 Oct 2018 04:03:21 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-58-the-monster-at-the-end-of-this-book
00:41:48Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoHappy October! We open this month of hauntings and spirits with a book about a terribly frightening monster! And by "terribly frightening" I mean "terribly frightened". Inspired by their discussion of Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, Betsy pulls out the 4th wall breaking title that started the whole American genre in the first place. Consider too the fact that this is a Sesame Street book and Mo Willems, who would later write that pigeon book, used to work for Sesame Street. By the way, let us just say this before you listen: If you are unfamiliar with Sesame Street in any way, this may not be the episode for you. In the course of things Kate and Betsy get into a very heated discussion about whether or not grouches are monsters, typography, hidden frustrations with Little Golden Books, and whether or not this book reveals "Grover's truth" (how self-reflective is Grover, really?).
Show Notes:
- For those of you keeping track at home, the sequels to this book have included the titles Hide and Seek with Lovable Furry Old Grover, Please Do Not Open This Book, and Lovable Furry Old Grover's Resting Places.
- This is very much turning into an app recommendation podcast. Nevertheless, we really do have a deep and abiding affection for the one that goes with this book. It can be very difficult to resist the urge to have Grover speak directly to your child. Very difficult indeed: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/the-monster-at-the-end/id409467802?mt=8
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/10/01/fuse-8-n-kate-the-monster-at-the-end-of-this-book-by-jon-stone/Happy October! We open this month of hauntings an…Happy October! We open this month of hauntings and spirits with a book about a terribly frightening monster! And by "terribly frightening" I mean "terribly frightened". Inspired by their discussion of Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, Betsy pulls out the 4th wall breaking title that started the whole American genre in the first place. Consider too the fact that this is a Sesame Street book and Mo Willems, who would later write that pigeon book, used to work for Sesame Street. By the way, let us just say this before you listen: If you are unfamiliar with Sesame Street in any way, this may not be the episode for you. In the course of things Kate and Betsy get into a very heated discussion about whether or not grouches are monsters, typography, hidden frustrations with Little Golden Books, and whether or not this book reveals "Grover's truth" (how self-reflective is Grover, really?).
Show Notes:
- For those of you keeping track at home, the sequels to this book have included the titles Hide and Seek with Lovable Furry Old Grover, Please Do Not Open This Book, and Lovable Furry Old Grover's Resting Places.
- This is very much turning into an app recommendation podcast. Nevertheless, we really do have a deep and abiding affection for the one that goes with this book. It can be very difficult to resist the urge to have Grover speak directly to your child. Very difficult indeed: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/the-monster-at-the-end/id409467802?mt=8
For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/10/01/fuse-8-n-kate-the-monster-at-the-end-of-this-book-by-jon-stone/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/504810633Episode 57 - Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!Tue, 25 Sep 2018 04:19:38 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-57-dont-let-the-pigeon-drive-the-bus
00:42:49Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoKate worried that there wouldn't be enough to talk about with this week's podcast because the featured book is so simple in both text and image. Little did she know!!! What happens when an adult woman reads this book for the first time and is told that many consider it a modern day classic? Oh. Let's find out. Along the way Kate questions the shenanigans (her word) of the bus driver, why the pigeon never has eyelashes (does Mo have something against them?), whether or not the bird is Slytherin, and Betsy begins to focus on what the prior relationship between the driver and the pigeon is exactly.
Source Notes:
- The Ray Bradbury story referred to about the girl who misses the one day of sun on her planet was "All Summer In a Day": https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_Summer_in_a_Day
- If you'd like to see the precise words of what the Caldecott criteria is, you can go here: http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/caldecottmedal/caldecottterms/caldecottterms
- While Betsy could not find the locker room sequence at the end of the Weston Woods video on YouTube, the good news is that for the first time Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus is now appearing on Bookflix. Does your library subscribe? It might! Find out from your local children's librarian and then watch the whole video there. You'll be glad you did.
- Betsy cannot tell you how happy she is that this app Don't Let the Pigeon Run This App is back up and running: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dont-let-pigeon-run-this-app/id459749670?mt=8
- The Indies Choice Book Awards Picture Book Hall of Fame: https://www.bookweb.org/btw/awards/ICBA.html
- We're happy to report that actually this book didn't beat The Very Hungry Caterpillar on the Top 100 Picture Books Poll. But it did beat Goodnight Moon: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/07/06/top-100-picture-books-poll-results/
- Curious about this Grace Lin podcast? Check out the Kidlitwomen podcast site here: https://www.kidlitwomen.com/http/kidlitwomenpodcastlibsyncom/
- Which of our transcripts would people like to read? Let us know and Kate will type them out.
- For the full Show Notes please visit us at http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/09/25/fuse-8-n-kate-dont-let-the-pigeon-drive-the-bus-by-mo-willems/Kate worried that there wouldn't be enough to tal…Kate worried that there wouldn't be enough to talk about with this week's podcast because the featured book is so simple in both text and image. Little did she know!!! What happens when an adult woman reads this book for the first time and is told that many consider it a modern day classic? Oh. Let's find out. Along the way Kate questions the shenanigans (her word) of the bus driver, why the pigeon never has eyelashes (does Mo have something against them?), whether or not the bird is Slytherin, and Betsy begins to focus on what the prior relationship between the driver and the pigeon is exactly.
Source Notes:
- The Ray Bradbury story referred to about the girl who misses the one day of sun on her planet was "All Summer In a Day": https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_Summer_in_a_Day
- If you'd like to see the precise words of what the Caldecott criteria is, you can go here: http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/caldecottmedal/caldecottterms/caldecottterms
- While Betsy could not find the locker room sequence at the end of the Weston Woods video on YouTube, the good news is that for the first time Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus is now appearing on Bookflix. Does your library subscribe? It might! Find out from your local children's librarian and then watch the whole video there. You'll be glad you did.
- Betsy cannot tell you how happy she is that this app Don't Let the Pigeon Run This App is back up and running: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dont-let-pigeon-run-this-app/id459749670?mt=8
- The Indies Choice Book Awards Picture Book Hall of Fame: https://www.bookweb.org/btw/awards/ICBA.html
- We're happy to report that actually this book didn't beat The Very Hungry Caterpillar on the Top 100 Picture Books Poll. But it did beat Goodnight Moon: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/07/06/top-100-picture-books-poll-results/
- Curious about this Grace Lin podcast? Check out the Kidlitwomen podcast site here: https://www.kidlitwomen.com/http/kidlitwomenpodcastlibsyncom/
- Which of our transcripts would people like to read? Let us know and Kate will type them out.
- For the full Show Notes please visit us at http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/09/25/fuse-8-n-kate-dont-let-the-pigeon-drive-the-bus-by-mo-willems/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/500967930Episode 56 - The Fox Went Out on a Chilly NightMon, 17 Sep 2018 03:43:42 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-56-the-fox-went-out-on-a-chilly-night
00:42:28Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoThis week Betsy and Kate have pretty much found the bloodiest Caldecott Honor winner out there (though you're allowed to try to find one bloodier if you'd like to prove them wrong). Technically blood never mars the pages, but you can pretty much assume what's happening off-screen, as it were. And it's a fantastic introduction to the autumn season! Win-win! In the course of things, Kate and Betsy debate the degree to which Mr. and Mrs. Fox are starving their children, what precisely is going on with the Giggle-Gaggle household, and what a "skulk"/"leash" is.
Show Notes:
- The Burl Ives version of the Fox song is slightly different from the one Betsy is accustomed to, but it's clearly the same thing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=jSaTOI7u8Ds
- - The Peter, Paul, and Mary version is the one Betsy's actually working off of: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4mwg40c2SU
- Good news! On teachingbooks.net you can find a lot of children's author and illustrators names and their pronunciations. Here is Peter Spier himself pronouncing his name. Turns out, the show got it mostly right! https://www.teachingbooks.net/pronounce.cgi?aid=947
- And if you're in a mood to listen to even more pronunciations, Merriam-Webster doing "ouabain" truly is a treat: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ouabain
- We're just so thrilled that the new Evanston children's bookstore Booked is slated to open September 21st. All those of you in town, stop by! https://www.bookedevanston.com/
- We checked Snopes and it turns out that Steve Buscemi, former firefighter, really did help out on 9/11: https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/steve-buscemi-fdny/
- For the full set of Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/09/17/review-of-the-day-the-fox-went-out-on-a-chilly-night-by-peter-spierThis week Betsy and Kate have pretty much found t…This week Betsy and Kate have pretty much found the bloodiest Caldecott Honor winner out there (though you're allowed to try to find one bloodier if you'd like to prove them wrong). Technically blood never mars the pages, but you can pretty much assume what's happening off-screen, as it were. And it's a fantastic introduction to the autumn season! Win-win! In the course of things, Kate and Betsy debate the degree to which Mr. and Mrs. Fox are starving their children, what precisely is going on with the Giggle-Gaggle household, and what a "skulk"/"leash" is.
Show Notes:
- The Burl Ives version of the Fox song is slightly different from the one Betsy is accustomed to, but it's clearly the same thing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=jSaTOI7u8Ds
- - The Peter, Paul, and Mary version is the one Betsy's actually working off of: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4mwg40c2SU
- Good news! On teachingbooks.net you can find a lot of children's author and illustrators names and their pronunciations. Here is Peter Spier himself pronouncing his name. Turns out, the show got it mostly right! https://www.teachingbooks.net/pronounce.cgi?aid=947
- And if you're in a mood to listen to even more pronunciations, Merriam-Webster doing "ouabain" truly is a treat: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ouabain
- We're just so thrilled that the new Evanston children's bookstore Booked is slated to open September 21st. All those of you in town, stop by! https://www.bookedevanston.com/
- We checked Snopes and it turns out that Steve Buscemi, former firefighter, really did help out on 9/11: https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/steve-buscemi-fdny/
- For the full set of Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/09/17/review-of-the-day-the-fox-went-out-on-a-chilly-night-by-peter-spiertag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/497735760Episode 55 - Make Way for DucklingsMon, 10 Sep 2018 04:06:42 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-55-make-way-for-ducklings
00:43:52Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoDidn't Kate and Betsy just do a Robert McCloskey book? They did, but it was not his most famous work. In spite of the fact that Betsy springs the tale of Mr. and Mrs. Mallard on her poor unsuspecting sister the two somehow manage to say a LOT about it! Vicious egg-eating turtles and all.
Show Notes:
- Just in case you're curious, the Twitter handle for this show is @fuse_kate and on Instagram at fuse8kate.
- You can visit sculptor Nancy Schon's website on the ducklings here: http://www.schon.com/public/ducklings-boston.php
- A bit of a correction here. Betsy got her story COMPLETELY mixed up. The true tale is that McCloskey saw Nixon somewhere (this being 1941 we've no idea where), noted his profile, and decided to use it for the book. So the theory that it's one of the kids was way WAY off. Read more about this at the ALSC blog: https://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/2012/10/wheres-dick/
- It came in at #6 on the Top 100 Picture Books Poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/06/20/top-100-picture-books-6-make-way-for-ducklings-by-robert-mccloskey/
- Please do tell us what you consider to be the most unknown Caldecott Award (not Honor) winner of all time. Write in!
- And as a reminder, if you've nothing going on this coming Thursday at 3:00, tune in to Author's Voice where Betsy will be interviewing, Sean Rubin, the creator of Bolivar. It's a great way to get a signed copy (and not a bad idea if you need a graphic novel for a younger reader that would make yet another gorgeous holiday present). You can watch live, order the book, and write in questions here: http://authorsvoice.net/event/ladybird-friends-sean-rubin-bolivar/
- Full the full Show Notes visit us at http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/09/10/fuse-8-n-kate-make-way-for-ducklings-by-robert-mccloskey/Didn't Kate and Betsy just do a Robert McCloskey …Didn't Kate and Betsy just do a Robert McCloskey book? They did, but it was not his most famous work. In spite of the fact that Betsy springs the tale of Mr. and Mrs. Mallard on her poor unsuspecting sister the two somehow manage to say a LOT about it! Vicious egg-eating turtles and all.
Show Notes:
- Just in case you're curious, the Twitter handle for this show is @fuse_kate and on Instagram at fuse8kate.
- You can visit sculptor Nancy Schon's website on the ducklings here: http://www.schon.com/public/ducklings-boston.php
- A bit of a correction here. Betsy got her story COMPLETELY mixed up. The true tale is that McCloskey saw Nixon somewhere (this being 1941 we've no idea where), noted his profile, and decided to use it for the book. So the theory that it's one of the kids was way WAY off. Read more about this at the ALSC blog: https://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/2012/10/wheres-dick/
- It came in at #6 on the Top 100 Picture Books Poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/06/20/top-100-picture-books-6-make-way-for-ducklings-by-robert-mccloskey/
- Please do tell us what you consider to be the most unknown Caldecott Award (not Honor) winner of all time. Write in!
- And as a reminder, if you've nothing going on this coming Thursday at 3:00, tune in to Author's Voice where Betsy will be interviewing, Sean Rubin, the creator of Bolivar. It's a great way to get a signed copy (and not a bad idea if you need a graphic novel for a younger reader that would make yet another gorgeous holiday present). You can watch live, order the book, and write in questions here: http://authorsvoice.net/event/ladybird-friends-sean-rubin-bolivar/
- Full the full Show Notes visit us at http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/09/10/fuse-8-n-kate-make-way-for-ducklings-by-robert-mccloskey/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/494431260Episode 54 - Blueberries for SalMon, 03 Sep 2018 04:04:36 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-54-blueberries-for-sal
00:45:05Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoFiiiiiiiiiish . . .
An aquatic creature that has absolutely NOTHING to do with this week's book!
So first and foremost, we are happy to announce that we now have our very own Twitter and Instagram accounts for this podcast. Woot! So tune in on Twitter @fuse_kate or on Instagram at fuse8kate. As for the podcast itself, Kate was semi-familiar with this book already. But did she remember anything about it at all? No, sir! As it turns out, we were able to really dive into some of the details. Will we determine it's a classic? Time will tell!
Source Notes:
- How much sugar does it take to can blueberries? The internet has many opinions on the subject but generally speaking it appears that you want to add 1/2 Cup of sugar for each quart of berries. That's not a ton of sugar. I guess Mom really worked double time while Sal was AWOL.
- How fast can a little bear run? Hard to say. A grown bear can get up to 40 miles an hour. We have to assume that a baby bear just wouldn't have that kind of speed. So even if it began to get ideas about the deliciousness of Mom, it's not happening.
- Here's something we didn't mention during the podcast, but there is a Blueberries for Sal statue out there. It was listed in the Fuse #8 website's Complete Listing of All Public Children’s Literature Statues in the United States. Located in Boothbay Harbor, Maine, the statue is by Nancy Schön, the same woman who did the Make Way for Duckling Statues in Boston. In 2008 she was commissioned by the Board of Directors of the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens to make a sculpture of Little Bear from the book Blueberries for Sal by the author Robert McCloskey. The result is this cute little feller who is surrounded by actual honest-to-goodness blueberry bushes. You can read more about it and see Ms. Schön’s process here: http://www.schon.com/public/sals-bear.php
- We had to check out what the heck "King of Tokyo" really is. So, you know Wil Wheaton (from Star Trek)? He started this YouTube series where he walks through how to play board games with celebrity friends of his and he did one for "King of Tokyo" - if you want to know what it's about, check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGaCjM2hal4
For the complete Show Notes, please visit us at http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/09/03/fuse-8-n-kate-blueberries-for-sal-by-robert-mccloskey/Fiiiiiiiiiish . . .
An aquatic creature that has…Fiiiiiiiiiish . . .
An aquatic creature that has absolutely NOTHING to do with this week's book!
So first and foremost, we are happy to announce that we now have our very own Twitter and Instagram accounts for this podcast. Woot! So tune in on Twitter @fuse_kate or on Instagram at fuse8kate. As for the podcast itself, Kate was semi-familiar with this book already. But did she remember anything about it at all? No, sir! As it turns out, we were able to really dive into some of the details. Will we determine it's a classic? Time will tell!
Source Notes:
- How much sugar does it take to can blueberries? The internet has many opinions on the subject but generally speaking it appears that you want to add 1/2 Cup of sugar for each quart of berries. That's not a ton of sugar. I guess Mom really worked double time while Sal was AWOL.
- How fast can a little bear run? Hard to say. A grown bear can get up to 40 miles an hour. We have to assume that a baby bear just wouldn't have that kind of speed. So even if it began to get ideas about the deliciousness of Mom, it's not happening.
- Here's something we didn't mention during the podcast, but there is a Blueberries for Sal statue out there. It was listed in the Fuse #8 website's Complete Listing of All Public Children’s Literature Statues in the United States. Located in Boothbay Harbor, Maine, the statue is by Nancy Schön, the same woman who did the Make Way for Duckling Statues in Boston. In 2008 she was commissioned by the Board of Directors of the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens to make a sculpture of Little Bear from the book Blueberries for Sal by the author Robert McCloskey. The result is this cute little feller who is surrounded by actual honest-to-goodness blueberry bushes. You can read more about it and see Ms. Schön’s process here: http://www.schon.com/public/sals-bear.php
- We had to check out what the heck "King of Tokyo" really is. So, you know Wil Wheaton (from Star Trek)? He started this YouTube series where he walks through how to play board games with celebrity friends of his and he did one for "King of Tokyo" - if you want to know what it's about, check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGaCjM2hal4
For the complete Show Notes, please visit us at http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/09/03/fuse-8-n-kate-blueberries-for-sal-by-robert-mccloskey/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/491150043Episode 53 - Caps for SaleMon, 27 Aug 2018 03:54:16 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-53-caps-for-sale
00:41:37Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoI think this is the clearest case of Betsy pulling out a book for Kate that is well-known amongst children's librarians and is pretty obscure when you talk to your average layperson on the street. If for no other reason, you should listen to this episode of our podcast to hear Kate's exclamation of pure confusion and tiny squeaks of bafflement when Betsy mentions how well it did on the Top 100 Picture Books Poll (it was #14). So sit back and enjoy as the sisters discuss the logistics of how exactly one would get a blue cap off of this guy, where his fingers suddenly emerge from, how exactly you pronounce, "Tsz, tsz, tsz," and why anyone, anywhere would put on a hat previously worn by a monkey.
Show Notes:
- Gentle listeners and readers, we really do want to know. How do you pronounce, "Tsz, tsz, tsz"?
- Since this book was influenced by the work of Henri Rousseau, why not check out this picture book biography of him, The Fantastic Jungles of Henri Rousseau? http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/11/06/review-of-the-day-the-fantastic-jungles-of-henri-rousseau-by-michelle-markel/
- Why Mathematicians are Hoarding This Special Type of Japanese Chalk: https://gizmodo.com/why-mathematicians-are-hoarding-this-special-type-of-ja-1711008881
- And last but by far not least, a new podcast! The Newbery Tart podcast has much to recommend it, not least of which is a list of living Newbery Authors. If you enjoy podcasts that take deep dives into subjects pertaining to children's literature, this is a can't miss listen: https://www.newberytart.com/podcast/
For full Show Notes please visit http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/08/27/fuse-8-n-kate-caps-for-sale-by-esphyr-slobodkinaI think this is the clearest case of Betsy pullin…I think this is the clearest case of Betsy pulling out a book for Kate that is well-known amongst children's librarians and is pretty obscure when you talk to your average layperson on the street. If for no other reason, you should listen to this episode of our podcast to hear Kate's exclamation of pure confusion and tiny squeaks of bafflement when Betsy mentions how well it did on the Top 100 Picture Books Poll (it was #14). So sit back and enjoy as the sisters discuss the logistics of how exactly one would get a blue cap off of this guy, where his fingers suddenly emerge from, how exactly you pronounce, "Tsz, tsz, tsz," and why anyone, anywhere would put on a hat previously worn by a monkey.
Show Notes:
- Gentle listeners and readers, we really do want to know. How do you pronounce, "Tsz, tsz, tsz"?
- Since this book was influenced by the work of Henri Rousseau, why not check out this picture book biography of him, The Fantastic Jungles of Henri Rousseau? http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/11/06/review-of-the-day-the-fantastic-jungles-of-henri-rousseau-by-michelle-markel/
- Why Mathematicians are Hoarding This Special Type of Japanese Chalk: https://gizmodo.com/why-mathematicians-are-hoarding-this-special-type-of-ja-1711008881
- And last but by far not least, a new podcast! The Newbery Tart podcast has much to recommend it, not least of which is a list of living Newbery Authors. If you enjoy podcasts that take deep dives into subjects pertaining to children's literature, this is a can't miss listen: https://www.newberytart.com/podcast/
For full Show Notes please visit http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/08/27/fuse-8-n-kate-caps-for-sale-by-esphyr-slobodkinatag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/484778925Episode 52 - Lilly's Purple Plastic PurseMon, 13 Aug 2018 03:53:36 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-52-lillys-purple-plastic-purse
00:45:32Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoThanks to a listener suggestion, Kate and Betsy finally crack open the Henkes box. And when you're talking Henkes, there's only one place to start. Now I should warn you right from the start that Betsy makes an egregious error in this podcast. That's right. She makes the claim that Julius, Baby of the World was published AFTER Purple Plastic Purse. On the flipside, this podcast may be the first time anyone has ever noted the presence of Ignatz Mouse from Krazy Kat in this book.
And as Kate says about the story, "It's not about the purse".
Show Notes:
- We believe Kevin Henkes ran into Susan Hirschman when he traipsed in as a stars-in-his-eyes teen. You can read a rather lovely remembrance of this moment in this Horn Book article Kevin Henkes - Twenty-Five Years: https://www.hbook.com/2005/07/choosing-books/horn-book-magazine/kevin-henkes-twenty-five-years/
- Betsy and Kate are happy to hear any alternate titles to this book. The two they've come up with so far are, "Mr. Slinger's Revenge" or "Lilly Undone".
- This book came in at #11 on the Top 100 Picture Books Poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/06/15/top-100-picture-books-11-lillys-purple-plastic-purse-by-kevin-henkes/
- The Lilly musical can actually be viewed here in its entirety: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q20LPjApOAo
- Here is the link to the piece I found on Teaching Children Philosophy: https://www.teachingchildrenphilosophy.org/BookModule/LillysPurplePlasticPurse
For the full show notes, please visit Betsy's blog at http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/08/13/fuse-8-n-kate-lillys-purple-plastic-purse-by-kevin-henkesThanks to a listener suggestion, Kate and Betsy f…Thanks to a listener suggestion, Kate and Betsy finally crack open the Henkes box. And when you're talking Henkes, there's only one place to start. Now I should warn you right from the start that Betsy makes an egregious error in this podcast. That's right. She makes the claim that Julius, Baby of the World was published AFTER Purple Plastic Purse. On the flipside, this podcast may be the first time anyone has ever noted the presence of Ignatz Mouse from Krazy Kat in this book.
And as Kate says about the story, "It's not about the purse".
Show Notes:
- We believe Kevin Henkes ran into Susan Hirschman when he traipsed in as a stars-in-his-eyes teen. You can read a rather lovely remembrance of this moment in this Horn Book article Kevin Henkes - Twenty-Five Years: https://www.hbook.com/2005/07/choosing-books/horn-book-magazine/kevin-henkes-twenty-five-years/
- Betsy and Kate are happy to hear any alternate titles to this book. The two they've come up with so far are, "Mr. Slinger's Revenge" or "Lilly Undone".
- This book came in at #11 on the Top 100 Picture Books Poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/06/15/top-100-picture-books-11-lillys-purple-plastic-purse-by-kevin-henkes/
- The Lilly musical can actually be viewed here in its entirety: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q20LPjApOAo
- Here is the link to the piece I found on Teaching Children Philosophy: https://www.teachingchildrenphilosophy.org/BookModule/LillysPurplePlasticPurse
For the full show notes, please visit Betsy's blog at http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/08/13/fuse-8-n-kate-lillys-purple-plastic-purse-by-kevin-henkestag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/481681353Episode 51 - Amelia BedeliaMon, 06 Aug 2018 03:48:40 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-51-amelia-bedelia
00:38:33Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoHow do you follow up The Giving Tree? Well, that's a tricky one. We don't know why Amelia Bedelia occurred to Betsy. She's so ubiquitous that no one ever really questions her presence on classic book lists. Still, the more we thought about her, the more we wondered if she really warrants inclusion in the "canon" of children's literature (howsoever you define that).
Show Notes:
- Here is her fantastic statue, located at the Harvin Clarendon County Library in Manning, South Carolina. This was sculpted by James Peter Chaconas: https://scpictureproject.org/clarendon-county/amelia-bedelia-statue.html
- Sometimes the best thing in the whole wide world is getting to see a group of boys reenact Amelia Bedelia without the one playing the lead feeling at all embarrassed about his awesome performance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uESgbsQAlEI
- Here you can find the Daily Dot piece I Accidentally Started a Wikipedia Hoax? https://www.dailydot.com/unclick/amelia-bedelia-wikipedia-hoax/
-And be sure to check out Minh Le's 2013 Bookriot piece Zooey Deschanel as Amelia Bedelia: A (Hypothetical) Match Made in Quirk Heaven: https://bookriot.com/2013/06/04/zooey-deschanel-as-amelia-bedelia-a-hypothetical-match-made-in-quirk-heaven/
- Grace Lin's newest podcast is Kidlit Women. Check it out today! She does transcripts and everything! https://www.kidlitwomen.com/http/kidlitwomenpodcastlibsyncom/
- For the full Show Notes please visit us at http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/08/06/fuse-8-n-kate-amelia-bedelia-by-peggy-parishHow do you follow up The Giving Tree? Well, that'…How do you follow up The Giving Tree? Well, that's a tricky one. We don't know why Amelia Bedelia occurred to Betsy. She's so ubiquitous that no one ever really questions her presence on classic book lists. Still, the more we thought about her, the more we wondered if she really warrants inclusion in the "canon" of children's literature (howsoever you define that).
Show Notes:
- Here is her fantastic statue, located at the Harvin Clarendon County Library in Manning, South Carolina. This was sculpted by James Peter Chaconas: https://scpictureproject.org/clarendon-county/amelia-bedelia-statue.html
- Sometimes the best thing in the whole wide world is getting to see a group of boys reenact Amelia Bedelia without the one playing the lead feeling at all embarrassed about his awesome performance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uESgbsQAlEI
- Here you can find the Daily Dot piece I Accidentally Started a Wikipedia Hoax? https://www.dailydot.com/unclick/amelia-bedelia-wikipedia-hoax/
-And be sure to check out Minh Le's 2013 Bookriot piece Zooey Deschanel as Amelia Bedelia: A (Hypothetical) Match Made in Quirk Heaven: https://bookriot.com/2013/06/04/zooey-deschanel-as-amelia-bedelia-a-hypothetical-match-made-in-quirk-heaven/
- Grace Lin's newest podcast is Kidlit Women. Check it out today! She does transcripts and everything! https://www.kidlitwomen.com/http/kidlitwomenpodcastlibsyncom/
- For the full Show Notes please visit us at http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/08/06/fuse-8-n-kate-amelia-bedelia-by-peggy-parishtag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/479044608Episode 50 - The Giving TreeTue, 31 Jul 2018 04:40:03 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-50-the-giving-tree
00:44:27Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoIt's very special episode day today! Kate and Betsy are celebrating their 50th episode (where does the time go?). It seemed fitting that they mark the occasion with an important book. There are so many titles that they still haven't done that could yield wonderful conversations. As such, it seems fitting that they finally do the most requested book of their podcast. In the course of things they also manage to come up with a connection between this and Harold and the Purple Crayon, discuss how this tale may be told in 3rd Tree Perspective, and introduce the world to the medical condition we like to call "Jules Feiffer feet".
Source Notes:
- For fun, check out the Travis Jonker interview with the photographs of Shel Silverstein. Best thing you'll read all day: http://100scopenotes.com/2017/05/12/a-conversation-with-shel-silverstein/
- Betsy wasn't wrong, by the way. Giving Tree Groot truly exists: https://geektyrant.com/news/guardians-of-the-galaxy-and-the-giving-tree-mashup
- Just a plug. Wild Things: Acts of Mischief in Children's Literature does indeed contain a two-page spread of quotes from children's book creators on The Giving Tree. One page Pro. The other one Con.
- Go here if you'd like to read "The Giving Tree at 50: Sadder Than I Remembered": https://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/giving-tree-50-sadder-remembered
- Harper Collins actually collected a lot of Giving Tree tattoos on their Pinterest page here: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/5699937005646084/
- Want to read the biography "A Boy Named Shel"? Why not just wait for the film Coming soon to a theater near you starring, I kid you not, James Franco: http://collider.com/james-franco-a-boy-named-shel-silverstein/#images
- Sassy Gay Friend meets The Giving Tree: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYQavD9mSIc
- Shel Silverstein reads The Giving Tree: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TZCP6OqRlE
- Feel free to read Giving Tree Made Horrific here: http://the-toast.net/2013/11/13/gifts-giving-tree/
- The full text from "If the Boy From The Giving Tree Was Your Boyfriend" can be found here: http://the-toast.net/2015/07/20/boy-from-the-giving-tree-boyfriend/
- And we didn't discuss it but long ago I offered a challenge for folks to reillustrate Dr. Seuss titles in the style of other illustrators. This one from illustrator Aaron Zenz was, to my mind, one of the most brilliant: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/03/01/re-seussification-project-the-results/
For full show notes visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/07/31/fuse-8-n-kate-the-giving-tree-by-shel-silverstein/It's very special episode day today! Kate and Bet…It's very special episode day today! Kate and Betsy are celebrating their 50th episode (where does the time go?). It seemed fitting that they mark the occasion with an important book. There are so many titles that they still haven't done that could yield wonderful conversations. As such, it seems fitting that they finally do the most requested book of their podcast. In the course of things they also manage to come up with a connection between this and Harold and the Purple Crayon, discuss how this tale may be told in 3rd Tree Perspective, and introduce the world to the medical condition we like to call "Jules Feiffer feet".
Source Notes:
- For fun, check out the Travis Jonker interview with the photographs of Shel Silverstein. Best thing you'll read all day: http://100scopenotes.com/2017/05/12/a-conversation-with-shel-silverstein/
- Betsy wasn't wrong, by the way. Giving Tree Groot truly exists: https://geektyrant.com/news/guardians-of-the-galaxy-and-the-giving-tree-mashup
- Just a plug. Wild Things: Acts of Mischief in Children's Literature does indeed contain a two-page spread of quotes from children's book creators on The Giving Tree. One page Pro. The other one Con.
- Go here if you'd like to read "The Giving Tree at 50: Sadder Than I Remembered": https://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/giving-tree-50-sadder-remembered
- Harper Collins actually collected a lot of Giving Tree tattoos on their Pinterest page here: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/5699937005646084/
- Want to read the biography "A Boy Named Shel"? Why not just wait for the film Coming soon to a theater near you starring, I kid you not, James Franco: http://collider.com/james-franco-a-boy-named-shel-silverstein/#images
- Sassy Gay Friend meets The Giving Tree: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYQavD9mSIc
- Shel Silverstein reads The Giving Tree: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TZCP6OqRlE
- Feel free to read Giving Tree Made Horrific here: http://the-toast.net/2013/11/13/gifts-giving-tree/
- The full text from "If the Boy From The Giving Tree Was Your Boyfriend" can be found here: http://the-toast.net/2015/07/20/boy-from-the-giving-tree-boyfriend/
- And we didn't discuss it but long ago I offered a challenge for folks to reillustrate Dr. Seuss titles in the style of other illustrators. This one from illustrator Aaron Zenz was, to my mind, one of the most brilliant: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/03/01/re-seussification-project-the-results/
For full show notes visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/07/31/fuse-8-n-kate-the-giving-tree-by-shel-silverstein/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/475896621Episode 49 - The GruffaloTue, 24 Jul 2018 03:41:13 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-49-the-gruffalo
00:43:02Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoIf we are to assume that the point of this podcast is to shine a light on "classic" picture books and ascertain whether or not they deserve that designation, it's a short walk to doing the same for books from other countries. What better then than to consider a picture book that is MASSIVELY successful in England, and only mildly recognized in the States? As a reminder, it was listener Rebekah Harris-Hughes who should receive full credit for suggesting today's book. So thank you, Rebekah!
Source Notes:
-If you follow no other links in these source notes, you MUST listen to the Deep In Bear Country: Episode 156. I have never heard such insightful discussions of bullying in children's literature: https://berenstainbearcast.wordpress.com/2018/07/14/episode-156-the-bully/
- Do check out the Dean Forest and it's rather adorable Gruffalo Trail: https://www.deanheritagecentre.com/whats-on/gruffalo-trail
- Further information on checking out the Gruffalo statues at Kilmardinny Loch: http://www.glasgowwithkids.co.uk/kilmardinny-loch-gruffalo-bearsden-glasgow-review/
- You'll have to pay YouTube to see the full film of this Best Animated Short nominee, but here are some clips: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHoyg_pwT2w
- It is possible that the Chinese folktale this book borrowed its idea from is the 1921 collection The Chinese Fairy Book. A bit vague on the origins there, though: https://www.worldoftales.com/Asian_folktales/Chinese_Folktale_26.html
- The Gruffalo website is a bit of a trip. Watch out for its theme song. It surprises you if you don't expect it: http://www.gruffalo.com/
- There really is a Gruffalo River Ride Adventure. Would we lie to you? https://www.chessington.com/gruffalo/
- And for those of you wondering, this is the tanuki. Awwww. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_raccoon_dog
- For the full Show Notes, please visit http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/07/24/fuse-8-n-kate-everyone-poops-by-julia-donaldson-ill-axel-schefflerIf we are to assume that the point of this podcas…If we are to assume that the point of this podcast is to shine a light on "classic" picture books and ascertain whether or not they deserve that designation, it's a short walk to doing the same for books from other countries. What better then than to consider a picture book that is MASSIVELY successful in England, and only mildly recognized in the States? As a reminder, it was listener Rebekah Harris-Hughes who should receive full credit for suggesting today's book. So thank you, Rebekah!
Source Notes:
-If you follow no other links in these source notes, you MUST listen to the Deep In Bear Country: Episode 156. I have never heard such insightful discussions of bullying in children's literature: https://berenstainbearcast.wordpress.com/2018/07/14/episode-156-the-bully/
- Do check out the Dean Forest and it's rather adorable Gruffalo Trail: https://www.deanheritagecentre.com/whats-on/gruffalo-trail
- Further information on checking out the Gruffalo statues at Kilmardinny Loch: http://www.glasgowwithkids.co.uk/kilmardinny-loch-gruffalo-bearsden-glasgow-review/
- You'll have to pay YouTube to see the full film of this Best Animated Short nominee, but here are some clips: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHoyg_pwT2w
- It is possible that the Chinese folktale this book borrowed its idea from is the 1921 collection The Chinese Fairy Book. A bit vague on the origins there, though: https://www.worldoftales.com/Asian_folktales/Chinese_Folktale_26.html
- The Gruffalo website is a bit of a trip. Watch out for its theme song. It surprises you if you don't expect it: http://www.gruffalo.com/
- There really is a Gruffalo River Ride Adventure. Would we lie to you? https://www.chessington.com/gruffalo/
- And for those of you wondering, this is the tanuki. Awwww. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_raccoon_dog
- For the full Show Notes, please visit http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/07/24/fuse-8-n-kate-everyone-poops-by-julia-donaldson-ill-axel-schefflertag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/472230165Episode 48 - Everyone PoopsMon, 16 Jul 2018 04:01:25 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-48-everybody-poops
00:34:27Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoThis week Betsy and Kate decided that scatological was the way to go. And so, they are pleased to announce that this is honestly the first Nonfiction picture book they've done on the show. Thinking about it, this may well be the most famous Nonfiction picture book in America. We'd be interested in hearing your alternative suggestions. The sisters get to talk about all SORTS of stuff too. Square wombat poop. Poor printing jobs on the book. And then there's that mystery animal that they simply could not identify. They might need your help on that one.
Source Notes:
- Check out Taro Gomi's website here. It's worth a gander to see what Japan's top author/illustrator does on his own website: http://www.gomitaro.com/
- Well done, Kirkus Reviews! Best professional review of this book to this day: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/taro-gomi/everyone-poops/
For the full listing of Source Notes, please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/07/16/fuse-8-n-kate-everyone-poops-by-taro-gomi/This week Betsy and Kate decided that scatologica…This week Betsy and Kate decided that scatological was the way to go. And so, they are pleased to announce that this is honestly the first Nonfiction picture book they've done on the show. Thinking about it, this may well be the most famous Nonfiction picture book in America. We'd be interested in hearing your alternative suggestions. The sisters get to talk about all SORTS of stuff too. Square wombat poop. Poor printing jobs on the book. And then there's that mystery animal that they simply could not identify. They might need your help on that one.
Source Notes:
- Check out Taro Gomi's website here. It's worth a gander to see what Japan's top author/illustrator does on his own website: http://www.gomitaro.com/
- Well done, Kirkus Reviews! Best professional review of this book to this day: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/taro-gomi/everyone-poops/
For the full listing of Source Notes, please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/07/16/fuse-8-n-kate-everyone-poops-by-taro-gomi/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/469175772Episode 47 - The Story About PingMon, 09 Jul 2018 04:58:03 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-47-the-story-about-ping
00:44:15Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoHope you like Kathleen Turner, because in this long delayed episode Betsy is clearly doing her best rendition of her. Apologies for the gap in the episodes. Fortunately, Betsy and Kate are back in style. This week they discuss a book that has a complicated history. It would be easier if this were a more straightforward case of racism. Along the way they also discuss the Wilder Award's name change, whether people care more about animal cruelty or corporeal punishment, and the names of Kate's blisters.
Source Notes:
Here's the Wendy McClure thread about the Wilder Award that Betsy referenced: https://twitter.com/Wendy_Mc/status/1011625742201950209
In terms of the cormorans, this is indeed a legitimate fishing method: https://en.wi
David L. Ulin wrote a very interesting piece for the L.A. Times called The Story About Ping and the Invention of Nostalgia: http://www.latimes.com/books/jacketcopy/la-et-jc-the-story-about-ping-and-the-invention-of-nostalgia-20130730-story.html
If you're curious about The Good Place podcast, just come right here: https://art19.com/shows/the-good-place-the-podcast
For the full Show Notes, please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/07/09/fuse-8-n-kate-the-story-about-ping-by-marjorie-flack-ill-kurt-wiese/Hope you like Kathleen Turner, because in this lo…Hope you like Kathleen Turner, because in this long delayed episode Betsy is clearly doing her best rendition of her. Apologies for the gap in the episodes. Fortunately, Betsy and Kate are back in style. This week they discuss a book that has a complicated history. It would be easier if this were a more straightforward case of racism. Along the way they also discuss the Wilder Award's name change, whether people care more about animal cruelty or corporeal punishment, and the names of Kate's blisters.
Source Notes:
Here's the Wendy McClure thread about the Wilder Award that Betsy referenced: https://twitter.com/Wendy_Mc/status/1011625742201950209
In terms of the cormorans, this is indeed a legitimate fishing method: https://en.wi
David L. Ulin wrote a very interesting piece for the L.A. Times called The Story About Ping and the Invention of Nostalgia: http://www.latimes.com/books/jacketcopy/la-et-jc-the-story-about-ping-and-the-invention-of-nostalgia-20130730-story.html
If you're curious about The Good Place podcast, just come right here: https://art19.com/shows/the-good-place-the-podcast
For the full Show Notes, please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/07/09/fuse-8-n-kate-the-story-about-ping-by-marjorie-flack-ill-kurt-wiese/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/456671883Episode 46 - Frog and Toad Are FriendsMon, 11 Jun 2018 03:34:26 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-46-frog-and-toad-are-friends
00:41:12Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoThe name of the game here is A Break From Brats. Betsy wanted to get Kate out of the realm of bratty children's book protagonists, so she thought the world's greatest friendship pair was the way to go. But before we get to that, the sisters do a rundown of the best and worst picture books they've ever looked at. As for the rest of the show, Kate writes down morals for every story in this book, and her interpretations aren't entirely canon. For Betsy's part, she gets to wax loquacious on her horizontal pupil theory of children's literature. Could you ask for anything more?
Show Notes:
- The Eric Carle exhibit was turned into a catalog, available for purchase. You can find Seeking a State of Grace: The Art of Arnold Lobel at the Eric Carle Museum's bookstore: https://shop.carlemuseum.org/seeking-state-grace-art-arnold-lobel
- We just want to say with sadness that apparently with the publication of The Merry Spinster, The Toast no longer hosts Daniel Ortberg's magnificent Children's Books Made Horrific. So we weren't able to provided a link here. Life is disappointment.
- Couldn't find an ideal video of it, but here's the original Broadway recording of the Toad looks funny in a bathing suit song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FetfyMbGnXo
- This isn't an ideal recording, but this singer is the strongest Snail we were able to find on YouTube, so in it goes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lpuoog92e2Q
- As is mentioned, this book came in at #15 on the Top 100 poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/06/15/top-100-picture-books-15-frog-and-toad-are-friends-by-arnold-lobel/
-The Aaron Zenz version of Frog & Toad is, by far, superior to almost all others: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=mq8Hz8Xv_z0
-Still, we harbor affection for this delightful French-ish version of The List: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvNLKeaeQ7w
- Read the full Source Notes here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/06/11/fuse-8-n-kate-frog-and-toad-are-friends-by-arnold-lobelThe name of the game here is A Break From Brats. …The name of the game here is A Break From Brats. Betsy wanted to get Kate out of the realm of bratty children's book protagonists, so she thought the world's greatest friendship pair was the way to go. But before we get to that, the sisters do a rundown of the best and worst picture books they've ever looked at. As for the rest of the show, Kate writes down morals for every story in this book, and her interpretations aren't entirely canon. For Betsy's part, she gets to wax loquacious on her horizontal pupil theory of children's literature. Could you ask for anything more?
Show Notes:
- The Eric Carle exhibit was turned into a catalog, available for purchase. You can find Seeking a State of Grace: The Art of Arnold Lobel at the Eric Carle Museum's bookstore: https://shop.carlemuseum.org/seeking-state-grace-art-arnold-lobel
- We just want to say with sadness that apparently with the publication of The Merry Spinster, The Toast no longer hosts Daniel Ortberg's magnificent Children's Books Made Horrific. So we weren't able to provided a link here. Life is disappointment.
- Couldn't find an ideal video of it, but here's the original Broadway recording of the Toad looks funny in a bathing suit song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FetfyMbGnXo
- This isn't an ideal recording, but this singer is the strongest Snail we were able to find on YouTube, so in it goes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lpuoog92e2Q
- As is mentioned, this book came in at #15 on the Top 100 poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/06/15/top-100-picture-books-15-frog-and-toad-are-friends-by-arnold-lobel/
-The Aaron Zenz version of Frog & Toad is, by far, superior to almost all others: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=mq8Hz8Xv_z0
-Still, we harbor affection for this delightful French-ish version of The List: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvNLKeaeQ7w
- Read the full Source Notes here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/06/11/fuse-8-n-kate-frog-and-toad-are-friends-by-arnold-lobeltag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/453426636Episode 45 - Kay Thompson's EloiseMon, 04 Jun 2018 04:04:27 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-45-kay-thompsons-eloise
00:47:42Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoIt's very special episode time! Very special for a number of reasons, not least of which is the fact that Kate took five hours to edit this episode down from two and a half hours to a svelte, sleek 47:41. It was also special because it features two guests from fellow podcast Go Your Own YA. So a big time thank you to Carey and Marie for taking time out of their schedules. Finally, it was special because Kate and Betsy finally got to tackle one of the big books they've been skirting around for months. That's right. Eloise is in the house and the results are priceless! Along with a bit of random Eloise trivia, I hope you're prepared for a surprise fact. The four women were actually able to locate a joke in the original book that was excised from editions printed today. And it involves dragging a fellow children's book character through the mud. See if you can guess who it is.
Source Notes:
- Here's a link to the Go Your Own YA podcast which you most certainly must search out: https://www.goyourownya.com/
- The great Eloise heist is mentioned in this article at NPR: https://www.npr.org/2017/07/11/536655235/eloise-at-the-museum-tells-the-story-behind-the-beloved-mischief-maker
- We couldn't find any videos that have someone singing Nanny's song, but we did find this recording featuring Kay Thompson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYqqLeM2qZQ
- You can find the rest of the Source Notes here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/06/04/fuse-8-n-kate-kay-thompsons-eloise-by-kay-thompson/It's very special episode time! Very special for …It's very special episode time! Very special for a number of reasons, not least of which is the fact that Kate took five hours to edit this episode down from two and a half hours to a svelte, sleek 47:41. It was also special because it features two guests from fellow podcast Go Your Own YA. So a big time thank you to Carey and Marie for taking time out of their schedules. Finally, it was special because Kate and Betsy finally got to tackle one of the big books they've been skirting around for months. That's right. Eloise is in the house and the results are priceless! Along with a bit of random Eloise trivia, I hope you're prepared for a surprise fact. The four women were actually able to locate a joke in the original book that was excised from editions printed today. And it involves dragging a fellow children's book character through the mud. See if you can guess who it is.
Source Notes:
- Here's a link to the Go Your Own YA podcast which you most certainly must search out: https://www.goyourownya.com/
- The great Eloise heist is mentioned in this article at NPR: https://www.npr.org/2017/07/11/536655235/eloise-at-the-museum-tells-the-story-behind-the-beloved-mischief-maker
- We couldn't find any videos that have someone singing Nanny's song, but we did find this recording featuring Kay Thompson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYqqLeM2qZQ
- You can find the rest of the Source Notes here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/06/04/fuse-8-n-kate-kay-thompsons-eloise-by-kay-thompson/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/450102396Episode 44 - Miss Nelson is Missing!Mon, 28 May 2018 05:06:02 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-44-miss-nelson-is-missing
00:44:56Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoI don't think Kate and Betsy expected to get into an in-depth conversation about Miss Nelson's cosplay as Viola Swamp, and why precisely she chooses to do so, but that's the kind of podcast this is. Along the way the sisters get into what the Wicked Witch of the West might have been wearing under that dress, the fact that butterflies were angry about the gas crisis in the 70s, and whether or not Viola Swamp talks like Katharine Hepburn (special bonus: Kate and Betsy may do the worst celebrity imitations of all time).
Show Notes:
- Here's a link to the website that discusses James Marshall's gravestone. https://wandervogeldiary.wordpress.com/2010/11/07/james-marshall/
- Betsy and her co-writer Julie Danielson spoke about it at length at the Wild Things: Acts of Mischief in Children's Literature website here: http://wildthings.blaine.org/?p=157
- The Reading Rainbow episode is completely available here: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5laqhx
-Here's the New York Times review of There's a Mystery There by Jonathan Cott: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/15/books/review-theres-mystery-there-maurice-sendak-jonathan-cott.html
- For the complete Show Notes, please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/05/28/fuse-8-n-kate-miss-nelson-is-missing-by-harry-allard-and-james-marshall/I don't think Kate and Betsy expected to get into…I don't think Kate and Betsy expected to get into an in-depth conversation about Miss Nelson's cosplay as Viola Swamp, and why precisely she chooses to do so, but that's the kind of podcast this is. Along the way the sisters get into what the Wicked Witch of the West might have been wearing under that dress, the fact that butterflies were angry about the gas crisis in the 70s, and whether or not Viola Swamp talks like Katharine Hepburn (special bonus: Kate and Betsy may do the worst celebrity imitations of all time).
Show Notes:
- Here's a link to the website that discusses James Marshall's gravestone. https://wandervogeldiary.wordpress.com/2010/11/07/james-marshall/
- Betsy and her co-writer Julie Danielson spoke about it at length at the Wild Things: Acts of Mischief in Children's Literature website here: http://wildthings.blaine.org/?p=157
- The Reading Rainbow episode is completely available here: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5laqhx
-Here's the New York Times review of There's a Mystery There by Jonathan Cott: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/15/books/review-theres-mystery-there-maurice-sendak-jonathan-cott.html
- For the complete Show Notes, please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/05/28/fuse-8-n-kate-miss-nelson-is-missing-by-harry-allard-and-james-marshall/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/446942106Episode 43 - The Stinky Cheese ManMon, 21 May 2018 04:07:35 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-43-the-stinky-cheese-man
00:48:17Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoBetsy and Kate would like to offer a word of warning to their mother with this one. Somehow, this ended up being their longest episode. If she listens to this on the treadmill, she might do herself a serious injury. It's a whopping 48:17 (and that's edited down!). I guess it's not surprising when you do a book as long as SCM. And boy howdy do they come up with all kinds of stuff to discuss here. A smattering includes . . .
Source Notes:
- Here's the Children's Book-a-Day Almanac link from Anita Silvey that discusses The Stinky Cheese Man: http://childrensbookalmanac.com/2011/10/the-stinky-cheese-man-and-other-fairly-stupid-tales/
- This is the ridiculous Stinky Cheese Man stuffed toy. Betsy loves him so much! He is, as she suggested, from YottoY: https://www.yottoy.com/collections/the-stinky-cheese-man
- And here's a video of someone making it run: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EV_7KfCt5AE
- Here he is at #91 on the second Top 100 Picture Books poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/05/16/top-100-picture-books-91-the-stinky-cheese-man-and-other-fairy-stupid-tales-by-jon-scieszka-illustrated-by-lane-smith/
- A House That Once Was is a true Caldecott contender. Find it!! http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/04/13/review-of-the-day-a-house-that-once-was-by-julie-fogliano-ill-lane-smith/
- And here's a link to the mentioned Astronuts from Jon and Steven Weinberg: https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/76310-rights-report-week-of-march-12-2018.html
- Did you miss Battle Bunny? Don't! Read this review and enjoy!: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2013/07/10/review-of-the-day-battle-bunny-by-jon-scieszka-and-mac-barnett/
-And here's the book that came out last year that makes fun of Lane Smith's name. SO GOOD! http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/11/10/review-of-the-day-im-just-no-good-at-rhyming-by-chris-harris-ill-lane-smith/
-Yep. The Berenstain Bears podcast Deep In Bear Country is really remarkable stuff. Highly recommended. Though, and we say this with deep and abiding regret, we cannot find them doing Berenstain Bears and the Bully. https://berenstainbearcast.wordpress.com/
-The Florida bookseller who gets tattoos from artists is Becky Quiroga. Publishers Weekly did a piece on her years ago. That said, her Lane Smith isn't Stinky Cheese Man after all. It's the ape from It's a Book. Here is the PW story on her: https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/48874-characters-ink-a-children-s-bookseller-s-tattoos.html
For the full Source Notes, please go here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/05/21/fuse-8-n-kate-the-stinky-cheese-man-by-jon-scieszka-and-lane-smith/Betsy and Kate would like to offer a word of warn…Betsy and Kate would like to offer a word of warning to their mother with this one. Somehow, this ended up being their longest episode. If she listens to this on the treadmill, she might do herself a serious injury. It's a whopping 48:17 (and that's edited down!). I guess it's not surprising when you do a book as long as SCM. And boy howdy do they come up with all kinds of stuff to discuss here. A smattering includes . . .
Source Notes:
- Here's the Children's Book-a-Day Almanac link from Anita Silvey that discusses The Stinky Cheese Man: http://childrensbookalmanac.com/2011/10/the-stinky-cheese-man-and-other-fairly-stupid-tales/
- This is the ridiculous Stinky Cheese Man stuffed toy. Betsy loves him so much! He is, as she suggested, from YottoY: https://www.yottoy.com/collections/the-stinky-cheese-man
- And here's a video of someone making it run: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EV_7KfCt5AE
- Here he is at #91 on the second Top 100 Picture Books poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/05/16/top-100-picture-books-91-the-stinky-cheese-man-and-other-fairy-stupid-tales-by-jon-scieszka-illustrated-by-lane-smith/
- A House That Once Was is a true Caldecott contender. Find it!! http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/04/13/review-of-the-day-a-house-that-once-was-by-julie-fogliano-ill-lane-smith/
- And here's a link to the mentioned Astronuts from Jon and Steven Weinberg: https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/76310-rights-report-week-of-march-12-2018.html
- Did you miss Battle Bunny? Don't! Read this review and enjoy!: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2013/07/10/review-of-the-day-battle-bunny-by-jon-scieszka-and-mac-barnett/
-And here's the book that came out last year that makes fun of Lane Smith's name. SO GOOD! http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/11/10/review-of-the-day-im-just-no-good-at-rhyming-by-chris-harris-ill-lane-smith/
-Yep. The Berenstain Bears podcast Deep In Bear Country is really remarkable stuff. Highly recommended. Though, and we say this with deep and abiding regret, we cannot find them doing Berenstain Bears and the Bully. https://berenstainbearcast.wordpress.com/
-The Florida bookseller who gets tattoos from artists is Becky Quiroga. Publishers Weekly did a piece on her years ago. That said, her Lane Smith isn't Stinky Cheese Man after all. It's the ape from It's a Book. Here is the PW story on her: https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/48874-characters-ink-a-children-s-bookseller-s-tattoos.html
For the full Source Notes, please go here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/05/21/fuse-8-n-kate-the-stinky-cheese-man-by-jon-scieszka-and-lane-smith/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/443728602Episode 42 - King Bidgood's in the BathtubMon, 14 May 2018 04:22:52 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-42-king-bidgoods-in-the-bathtub
00:38:25Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoWhen it comes to selecting books for the podcast, the sisters tend towards those books that have lots of details. And this one, as Kate was quick to learn, could go head-to-head with Where's Waldo in terms of hidden details. Alas, no clowns this week but they make up for it in other ways. Along the way they manage to identify The Ghost of Christmas Present, Chekov's plug, and the degree to which this book is like the movie Splash.
Source Books:
- Yeah, they never got to Kate's old blog, but it really it was one of the greatest things. It was called How To, How Hard, and How Much and on it she would find online How To's and try to do them herself. There was great stuff on there. Not the gingerbread Tartis, though. No no. Not that: http://katokula.blogspot.com/
- The Naked Cowboy wasn't actually by Adam Rex. That wasn't even the title. It was The Dirty Cowboy (which he just illustrated) written by Amy Timberlake.
- The blog mentioned by listener was Don't Read This to My Kids: http://www.drttmk.com/
- It included this video review of The Little Rabbit Who Wanted Red Wings. For the record, this review is AWESOME!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSOI8ZVIi4E
- For the full Show Notes, please visit us here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/05/14/fuse-8-n-kate-king-bidgoods-in-the-bathtub-by-audrey-wood-ill-don-wood/When it comes to selecting books for the podcast,…When it comes to selecting books for the podcast, the sisters tend towards those books that have lots of details. And this one, as Kate was quick to learn, could go head-to-head with Where's Waldo in terms of hidden details. Alas, no clowns this week but they make up for it in other ways. Along the way they manage to identify The Ghost of Christmas Present, Chekov's plug, and the degree to which this book is like the movie Splash.
Source Books:
- Yeah, they never got to Kate's old blog, but it really it was one of the greatest things. It was called How To, How Hard, and How Much and on it she would find online How To's and try to do them herself. There was great stuff on there. Not the gingerbread Tartis, though. No no. Not that: http://katokula.blogspot.com/
- The Naked Cowboy wasn't actually by Adam Rex. That wasn't even the title. It was The Dirty Cowboy (which he just illustrated) written by Amy Timberlake.
- The blog mentioned by listener was Don't Read This to My Kids: http://www.drttmk.com/
- It included this video review of The Little Rabbit Who Wanted Red Wings. For the record, this review is AWESOME!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSOI8ZVIi4E
- For the full Show Notes, please visit us here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/05/14/fuse-8-n-kate-king-bidgoods-in-the-bathtub-by-audrey-wood-ill-don-wood/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/440423325Episode 41 - The Runaway BunnyMon, 07 May 2018 05:00:26 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-41-the-runaway-bunny
00:39:09Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoWhat does making sushi and reading Margaret Wise Brown's second most popular picture book have in common? Betsy and Kate are doing both in one night! They're trying to do a couple more ladies than they've done in the past. This week they talk about whether or not this book has Fellini aspects to it, Bunny Protective Services (the BPS), and a furthering of Kate's ghost grandma theory (which Betsy kind of loves but don't tell her). Extra Bonus: You get to hear Betsy's cute little bunny voice, which she only gets to whip out once in a while.
Listen to the whole show here on Soundcloud or download it through iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, or your preferred method of podcast selection.
Show Notes:
- You can read Monica Edinger’s telling of the Margaret Wise Brown tea here: http://medinger.wordpress.com/2010/05/24/margaret-wise-browns-100th-birthday-party/
- Read Brenda Bowen’s own telling here: http://bowenpress.blogspot.com/2010/05/margaret-wise-brown-birthday-party.html
-Read the full Show Notes for this episode here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/05/07/fuse-8-n-kate-runaway-bunny-by-margaret-wise-brownWhat does making sushi and reading Margaret Wise …What does making sushi and reading Margaret Wise Brown's second most popular picture book have in common? Betsy and Kate are doing both in one night! They're trying to do a couple more ladies than they've done in the past. This week they talk about whether or not this book has Fellini aspects to it, Bunny Protective Services (the BPS), and a furthering of Kate's ghost grandma theory (which Betsy kind of loves but don't tell her). Extra Bonus: You get to hear Betsy's cute little bunny voice, which she only gets to whip out once in a while.
Listen to the whole show here on Soundcloud or download it through iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, or your preferred method of podcast selection.
Show Notes:
- You can read Monica Edinger’s telling of the Margaret Wise Brown tea here: http://medinger.wordpress.com/2010/05/24/margaret-wise-browns-100th-birthday-party/
- Read Brenda Bowen’s own telling here: http://bowenpress.blogspot.com/2010/05/margaret-wise-brown-birthday-party.html
-Read the full Show Notes for this episode here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/05/07/fuse-8-n-kate-runaway-bunny-by-margaret-wise-browntag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/433753167Episode 40 - Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad DayMon, 23 Apr 2018 03:19:22 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-40-alexander-and-the-terrible-horrible-no-good-very-bad-day
00:45:50Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoAfter promising Kate that they'd do a book by a lady, Betsy had to determine the best possible choice. Her idea was to look on her old Top 100 Picture Books Poll and see who the top women on there were. #1? Margaret Wise Brown. #2 was Judith Viorst and this book. You know, you never know which books are going to provide you with a plethora of information. This book? Kate had to edit every "um" and "uh" out of the recording to winnow the yammering down to a mere 45 minutes. Still was fun, though.
Show Notes:
- Betsy couldn't conjure up the name on the spot, but the Boxtrolls movie was based on Here Be Monsters by Alan Snow.
- Here's the Viorst bio on Wikipedia. Betsy still finds it oddly charming: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judith_Viorst
- Is Ray Cruz dead? No, but it was difficult to find that information online. If you look at the webpage dedicated to his papers at the de Grummond collection, they state that "Cruz lived in New York City until his death." http://www.lib.usm.edu/legacy/degrum/public_html/html/research/findaids/DG0240f.html
-For the full Show Notes please visit http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/04/23/fuse-8-n-kate-alexander-and-the-terrible-horrible-no-good-very-bad-day-by-judith-viorstAfter promising Kate that they'd do a book by a l…After promising Kate that they'd do a book by a lady, Betsy had to determine the best possible choice. Her idea was to look on her old Top 100 Picture Books Poll and see who the top women on there were. #1? Margaret Wise Brown. #2 was Judith Viorst and this book. You know, you never know which books are going to provide you with a plethora of information. This book? Kate had to edit every "um" and "uh" out of the recording to winnow the yammering down to a mere 45 minutes. Still was fun, though.
Show Notes:
- Betsy couldn't conjure up the name on the spot, but the Boxtrolls movie was based on Here Be Monsters by Alan Snow.
- Here's the Viorst bio on Wikipedia. Betsy still finds it oddly charming: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judith_Viorst
- Is Ray Cruz dead? No, but it was difficult to find that information online. If you look at the webpage dedicated to his papers at the de Grummond collection, they state that "Cruz lived in New York City until his death." http://www.lib.usm.edu/legacy/degrum/public_html/html/research/findaids/DG0240f.html
-For the full Show Notes please visit http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/04/23/fuse-8-n-kate-alexander-and-the-terrible-horrible-no-good-very-bad-day-by-judith-viorsttag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/430330632Episode 39 - RumpelstiltskinMon, 16 Apr 2018 03:44:24 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-39-rumpelstiltskin
00:43:16Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoMother's Day isn't exactly around the corner, but this episode is basically Kate and Betsy's present to their mom. She's been bugging them to do this particular book for ages. Certainly that Caldecott Honor in the corner of the cover gives it the necessary picture book classics cred.
Show Notes:
- Want to see one of Paul's ties? Watch Betsy interview him in . . . um . . . quite the outfit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B31N56s7lFo
- For more info on Rumpelstiltskin from Paul's p.o.v. check out this interview on SLJ: https://www.slj.com/2012/11/interviews/interview-caldecott-medal-and-honor-winner-paul-o-zelinsky-talks-with-slj/#_
- And don't forget to vote on the 100 Best Board Books Poll! http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/03/28/announcing-the-top-100-board-books-poll/
- For full Show Notes please visit http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/04/16/fuse-8-n-kate-rumpelstiltskin-by-paul-o-zelinskyMother's Day isn't exactly around the corner, but…Mother's Day isn't exactly around the corner, but this episode is basically Kate and Betsy's present to their mom. She's been bugging them to do this particular book for ages. Certainly that Caldecott Honor in the corner of the cover gives it the necessary picture book classics cred.
Show Notes:
- Want to see one of Paul's ties? Watch Betsy interview him in . . . um . . . quite the outfit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B31N56s7lFo
- For more info on Rumpelstiltskin from Paul's p.o.v. check out this interview on SLJ: https://www.slj.com/2012/11/interviews/interview-caldecott-medal-and-honor-winner-paul-o-zelinsky-talks-with-slj/#_
- And don't forget to vote on the 100 Best Board Books Poll! http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/03/28/announcing-the-top-100-board-books-poll/
- For full Show Notes please visit http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/04/16/fuse-8-n-kate-rumpelstiltskin-by-paul-o-zelinskytag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/426893469Episode 38 - Sylvester and the Magic PebbleMon, 09 Apr 2018 03:40:18 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-38-sylvester-and-the-magic-pebble
00:38:40Betsy Bird and Kate Ramseyno"50% of this book is just depressed donkeys."
In lieu of Shrek, Betsy and Kate go with what is arguably the second most famous Steig picture book out there. You know. The one chock full of sadness and woe. Along the way they tackle grammar, fetlocks, sitting on children, and donkey boulders. Lots and lots of donkey boulders.
Show Notes:
- For more on Betsy's hatred of knitting needles that stick straight up, be sure to check out her previous blog post The Scourge of Upside Down Knitting: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2014/07/17/the-scourge-of-upside-down-knitting/
- Sylvester came in at #55 on the old Picture Book Poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/05/25/top-100-picture-books-55-sylvester-and-the-magic-pebble-by-william-steig/
- For the full Show Notes, please visit http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/04/09/fuse-8-n-kate-sylvester-and-the-magic-pebble-by-william-steig"50% of this book is just depressed donkeys."
In…"50% of this book is just depressed donkeys."
In lieu of Shrek, Betsy and Kate go with what is arguably the second most famous Steig picture book out there. You know. The one chock full of sadness and woe. Along the way they tackle grammar, fetlocks, sitting on children, and donkey boulders. Lots and lots of donkey boulders.
Show Notes:
- For more on Betsy's hatred of knitting needles that stick straight up, be sure to check out her previous blog post The Scourge of Upside Down Knitting: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2014/07/17/the-scourge-of-upside-down-knitting/
- Sylvester came in at #55 on the old Picture Book Poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/05/25/top-100-picture-books-55-sylvester-and-the-magic-pebble-by-william-steig/
- For the full Show Notes, please visit http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/04/09/fuse-8-n-kate-sylvester-and-the-magic-pebble-by-william-steigtag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/419903604Episode 37 - The Story of FerdinandMon, 26 Mar 2018 03:49:53 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-37-the-story-of-ferdinand
00:46:42Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoKate and Betsy celebrate their episode yet! Both had a LOT to say about this book and along the way they learn some very important lessons about themselves. Like the fact that someone with a retainer may have a very hard time saying the words "pacifist" and "pacifism". Let's all say "passive pacifism" together now three times fast!
Show Notes:
- We able to find the Ferdinand balloon! In Wired Magazine you can find a piece called Amazing Old Pics of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade with lots of amazing images: https://www.wired.com/2013/11/the-macys-thanksgiving-parade-was-way-cooler-in-black-and-white/
-- Here's the 1938 Disney short: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UN62cxSs5Q8
- Here's the popular song about Ferdinand as sung, in this particular case, by The Lennon Sisters: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Q1KmGMsLsk
- And here was the most recent iteration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBXVM7oUPVk
- On the picture book poll it showed up as #17: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/06/14/top-100-picture-books-17-the-story-of-ferdinand-by-munro-leaf-illustrated-by-robert-lawson
- Yay! Here's the Bottom Shelf Books take on Ferdinand and mortality. Go, Minh Le, go! http://www.bottomshelfbooks.com/2007/08/story-of-ferdinand.html
- Confused about what Betsy meant about the Caldecott Award winning book They Were Strong and Good being racist? No one ever summarized the situation better than Peter Sieruta at Collecting Children's Books: http://collectingchildrensbooks.blogspot.com/2009/04/they-were-strong-and-good-enough-for.html
-Kate mentioned the podcast Armchair Expert so check it out: https://armchairexpertpod.com/
- Want to see the full Show Notes? Just go to: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/03/26/fuse-8-n-kate-the-story-of-ferdinand-by-munro-leaf-robert-lawsonKate and Betsy celebrate their episode yet! Both …Kate and Betsy celebrate their episode yet! Both had a LOT to say about this book and along the way they learn some very important lessons about themselves. Like the fact that someone with a retainer may have a very hard time saying the words "pacifist" and "pacifism". Let's all say "passive pacifism" together now three times fast!
Show Notes:
- We able to find the Ferdinand balloon! In Wired Magazine you can find a piece called Amazing Old Pics of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade with lots of amazing images: https://www.wired.com/2013/11/the-macys-thanksgiving-parade-was-way-cooler-in-black-and-white/
-- Here's the 1938 Disney short: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UN62cxSs5Q8
- Here's the popular song about Ferdinand as sung, in this particular case, by The Lennon Sisters: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Q1KmGMsLsk
- And here was the most recent iteration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBXVM7oUPVk
- On the picture book poll it showed up as #17: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/06/14/top-100-picture-books-17-the-story-of-ferdinand-by-munro-leaf-illustrated-by-robert-lawson
- Yay! Here's the Bottom Shelf Books take on Ferdinand and mortality. Go, Minh Le, go! http://www.bottomshelfbooks.com/2007/08/story-of-ferdinand.html
- Confused about what Betsy meant about the Caldecott Award winning book They Were Strong and Good being racist? No one ever summarized the situation better than Peter Sieruta at Collecting Children's Books: http://collectingchildrensbooks.blogspot.com/2009/04/they-were-strong-and-good-enough-for.html
-Kate mentioned the podcast Armchair Expert so check it out: https://armchairexpertpod.com/
- Want to see the full Show Notes? Just go to: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/03/26/fuse-8-n-kate-the-story-of-ferdinand-by-munro-leaf-robert-lawsontag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/415843464Episode 36 - Harold and the Purple CrayonMon, 19 Mar 2018 04:08:31 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-36-harold-and-the-purple-crayon
00:31:25Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoThis week Betsy and Kate face down their greatest threat yet: Laptop snafus. This episode marks one of the rare instances where the laptop stopped recording the show right before the end of the podcast. Ah well. This particular week the duo takes on Crockett Johnson's best known work (sorry, Carrot Seed) and comes up with everything from arboreal semantics to Ursula Nordstrom as a hard knocks dame to . . . well . . . Genesis.
Show Notes:
- What truly was Simon in the Land of Chalk Drawings? Behold!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyrDS1UvCG8
- Here is what we do believe is the earliest Harold short created. It. Is. Charming: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKhKyZgafU4
- And here is the HBO television show. You will note that everything Harold draws can move. This aligns the new Harold closer to Simon in the Land of Chalk Drawings more than anything else: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mq4KbIkqpQ
- Here's the Glam Rock Opera version. Very catchy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYc-k6MjS-M
- Here is where the book showed up on the Top 100 Picture Books Poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/06/14/top-100-childrens-novels-16-harold-and-the-purple-crayon-by-crockett-johnson/" target="_blank
- For the complete Show Notes please visit the following: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/03/19/fuse-8-n-kate-harold-and-the-purple-crayon-by-p-d-eastman/This week Betsy and Kate face down their greatest…This week Betsy and Kate face down their greatest threat yet: Laptop snafus. This episode marks one of the rare instances where the laptop stopped recording the show right before the end of the podcast. Ah well. This particular week the duo takes on Crockett Johnson's best known work (sorry, Carrot Seed) and comes up with everything from arboreal semantics to Ursula Nordstrom as a hard knocks dame to . . . well . . . Genesis.
Show Notes:
- What truly was Simon in the Land of Chalk Drawings? Behold!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyrDS1UvCG8
- Here is what we do believe is the earliest Harold short created. It. Is. Charming: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKhKyZgafU4
- And here is the HBO television show. You will note that everything Harold draws can move. This aligns the new Harold closer to Simon in the Land of Chalk Drawings more than anything else: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mq4KbIkqpQ
- Here's the Glam Rock Opera version. Very catchy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYc-k6MjS-M
- Here is where the book showed up on the Top 100 Picture Books Poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/06/14/top-100-childrens-novels-16-harold-and-the-purple-crayon-by-crockett-johnson/" target="_blank
- For the complete Show Notes please visit the following: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/03/19/fuse-8-n-kate-harold-and-the-purple-crayon-by-p-d-eastman/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/412349019Episode 35 - Go, Dog. Go!Mon, 12 Mar 2018 04:24:56 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-35-go-dog-go
00:41:12Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoOur latest podcast marks a first. Yes what we have here is the first time that Betsy has ever discovered that she's been mispronouncing the title of a popular children's book for years and years and years. You might ask yourself, "How the heck do you mispronounce P.D. Eastman's most classic book?" It's all in the punctuation. In fact, we doubt anyone has ever picked apart the punctuation of this book as intensely as Kate and Betsy do on this episode. As it turns out, the female hat-wearing dog's use or lack of use when it comes to exclamation points practically warrants a conspiracy theory in and of itself.
Show Notes:
- After looking at this particular video of the show, Betsy is pretty sure the one she saw was just a case of poor direction. This looks MUCH livelier! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_To7faUGBI
- Be sure to check out the full text of The Ugly Volvo's An Open Letter to the Female Hat-Wearing Dog From "Go, Dog, Go". http://www.theuglyvolvo.com/an-open-letter-to-the-female-hat-wearing-dog-from-go-dog-go/
- Here's the book coming in at #28 on the Top 100 Picture Books Poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/06/05/top-100-childrens-novels-28-go-dog-go-by-p-d-eastman/
- For a complete listing of Show Notes please go to: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/03/12/fuse-8-n-kate-go-dog-go-by-p-d-eastman/Our latest podcast marks a first. Yes what we hav…Our latest podcast marks a first. Yes what we have here is the first time that Betsy has ever discovered that she's been mispronouncing the title of a popular children's book for years and years and years. You might ask yourself, "How the heck do you mispronounce P.D. Eastman's most classic book?" It's all in the punctuation. In fact, we doubt anyone has ever picked apart the punctuation of this book as intensely as Kate and Betsy do on this episode. As it turns out, the female hat-wearing dog's use or lack of use when it comes to exclamation points practically warrants a conspiracy theory in and of itself.
Show Notes:
- After looking at this particular video of the show, Betsy is pretty sure the one she saw was just a case of poor direction. This looks MUCH livelier! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_To7faUGBI
- Be sure to check out the full text of The Ugly Volvo's An Open Letter to the Female Hat-Wearing Dog From "Go, Dog, Go". http://www.theuglyvolvo.com/an-open-letter-to-the-female-hat-wearing-dog-from-go-dog-go/
- Here's the book coming in at #28 on the Top 100 Picture Books Poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/06/05/top-100-childrens-novels-28-go-dog-go-by-p-d-eastman/
- For a complete listing of Show Notes please go to: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/03/12/fuse-8-n-kate-go-dog-go-by-p-d-eastman/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/409365144Episode 34 - PierreTue, 06 Mar 2018 05:20:54 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-34-pierre
00:43:24Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoAfter delving so deeply into problematic picture books in February, Kate and I deserve a bit of a rest. And what, I ask, could be more restful than carnivorous animals devouring small boys? Particularly when said lions are the product of the inimitable and never imitated Maurice Sendak. This marks Sendak's third appearance on the podcast, and the first time he's shown up with a book that wasn't associated with the Wild Things/In the Night Kitchen/Outside Over There triumvirate. In the course of things we uncover a conspiracy that involves Pierre's parents and the lion. I mean, this thing goes all the way to the top! We also debate whether or not the doctor is a vet or not. Feel free to chime in with thoughts on the matter.
Show Notes:
- Andrea won't take money from us for this, but she does suggest the charity Everytown for Gun Safety so in addition to that, I figured I'd promote it here: https://everytown.org/
- I kind of want to list all the Home Invasion By Felines books out there. This. The Cat in the Hat. The Tiger Who Came to Tea. There must be more.
- Here's the video where Kate saw Pierre pirouette so sublimely into the yawning gap: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToVHzUDYJgU
- And here's Amanda Palmer performing the self-same song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vE6UOHJcyjE
-Here's the book coming out later this year that I mentioned. It is actually called I Just Ate My Friend. Part of a long tradition of picture books in which the protagonist gets eaten: http://www.simonandschuster.com/books/I-Just-Ate-My-Friend/Heidi-McKinnon/9781534410329
- For the full Show Notes please visit us at: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/03/06/fuse-8-n-kate-pierre-by-maurice-sendakAfter delving so deeply into problematic picture …After delving so deeply into problematic picture books in February, Kate and I deserve a bit of a rest. And what, I ask, could be more restful than carnivorous animals devouring small boys? Particularly when said lions are the product of the inimitable and never imitated Maurice Sendak. This marks Sendak's third appearance on the podcast, and the first time he's shown up with a book that wasn't associated with the Wild Things/In the Night Kitchen/Outside Over There triumvirate. In the course of things we uncover a conspiracy that involves Pierre's parents and the lion. I mean, this thing goes all the way to the top! We also debate whether or not the doctor is a vet or not. Feel free to chime in with thoughts on the matter.
Show Notes:
- Andrea won't take money from us for this, but she does suggest the charity Everytown for Gun Safety so in addition to that, I figured I'd promote it here: https://everytown.org/
- I kind of want to list all the Home Invasion By Felines books out there. This. The Cat in the Hat. The Tiger Who Came to Tea. There must be more.
- Here's the video where Kate saw Pierre pirouette so sublimely into the yawning gap: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToVHzUDYJgU
- And here's Amanda Palmer performing the self-same song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vE6UOHJcyjE
-Here's the book coming out later this year that I mentioned. It is actually called I Just Ate My Friend. Part of a long tradition of picture books in which the protagonist gets eaten: http://www.simonandschuster.com/books/I-Just-Ate-My-Friend/Heidi-McKinnon/9781534410329
- For the full Show Notes please visit us at: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/03/06/fuse-8-n-kate-pierre-by-maurice-sendaktag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/405281436Episode 33 - The Story of Little Black SamboMon, 26 Feb 2018 05:10:28 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-33-the-story-of-little-black-sambo
00:40:51Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoNot content to examine just Curious George and The Story of Babar, Kate and Betsy round out their look at colonial children's literature with a rather more serious examination of Helen Bannerman's Little Black Sambo. Not content to consider a single version, while their primary focus will be the Christopher Bing edition, with the original Helen Bannerman text, extensive consideration is given to the Julius Lester / Jerry Pinkney book Sam and the Tigers, with additional thoughts on The Story of Little Babaji with art by Fred Marcellino.
Show Notes:
- Here is the New York Times review of the play Spinning Into Butter: http://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/20/nyregion/theater-review-spinning-into-butter-raises-questions-without-answers.html
- This is the Emily Nussbaum review that made Betsy want to be a better reviewer: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2018/02/26/how-to-make-a-weepy-family-drama
- For the full Show Notes please visit http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/02/26/fuse-8-n-kate-the-story-of-little-black-sambo-by-helen-bannerman/Not content to examine just Curious George and Th…Not content to examine just Curious George and The Story of Babar, Kate and Betsy round out their look at colonial children's literature with a rather more serious examination of Helen Bannerman's Little Black Sambo. Not content to consider a single version, while their primary focus will be the Christopher Bing edition, with the original Helen Bannerman text, extensive consideration is given to the Julius Lester / Jerry Pinkney book Sam and the Tigers, with additional thoughts on The Story of Little Babaji with art by Fred Marcellino.
Show Notes:
- Here is the New York Times review of the play Spinning Into Butter: http://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/20/nyregion/theater-review-spinning-into-butter-raises-questions-without-answers.html
- This is the Emily Nussbaum review that made Betsy want to be a better reviewer: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2018/02/26/how-to-make-a-weepy-family-drama
- For the full Show Notes please visit http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/02/26/fuse-8-n-kate-the-story-of-little-black-sambo-by-helen-bannerman/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/401800374Episode 32 - The Story of BabarMon, 19 Feb 2018 05:13:36 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-32-the-story-of-babar
00:39:11Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoOur theme of problematic picture books that deal indirectly with colonialism continue with this natural companion to Curious George. Today's book is notable if only because it is the first "classic" Betsy and Kate have discussed that Betsy read as a child. Will that make her more inclined to like the book or not? You'll just have to see.
Prepare for a heartfelt discussion about Blast From the Past, the Babadook, the difference between bowler and derby hats, and the ultimate lesson in retail therapy: "You want to deal with your mom's death? Buy yourself some spats!"
Show Notes:
- A link to the interview with Jean de Brunhoff's son in the Wall Street Journal. Babar the Elephant Takes His Final Bow: https://www.wsj.com/articles/babar-the-elephant-takes-his-final-bow-1511560164
- Should We Burn Babar? Here's the Kirkus review that didn't find the book all that keen: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/herbert-kohl/should-we-burn-babar/
- Leslie Jones can be found here on Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/lesdogggg/?hl=en
- And I believe this was the Buzzfeed article Kate referred to. It's called Right Now the Only Thing I Care About Is Olympic Skater Adam Rippon's Tweets : https://www.buzzfeed.com/samstryker/adam-rippon-twitter?utm_term=.ym4xwvmgD#.ly1aJb5Z2
You can find the complete set of Show Notes at Betsy's blog here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/02/19/fuse-8-n-kate-the-story-of-babar-the-little-elephant-by-jean-de-brunhoff/Our theme of problematic picture books that deal …Our theme of problematic picture books that deal indirectly with colonialism continue with this natural companion to Curious George. Today's book is notable if only because it is the first "classic" Betsy and Kate have discussed that Betsy read as a child. Will that make her more inclined to like the book or not? You'll just have to see.
Prepare for a heartfelt discussion about Blast From the Past, the Babadook, the difference between bowler and derby hats, and the ultimate lesson in retail therapy: "You want to deal with your mom's death? Buy yourself some spats!"
Show Notes:
- A link to the interview with Jean de Brunhoff's son in the Wall Street Journal. Babar the Elephant Takes His Final Bow: https://www.wsj.com/articles/babar-the-elephant-takes-his-final-bow-1511560164
- Should We Burn Babar? Here's the Kirkus review that didn't find the book all that keen: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/herbert-kohl/should-we-burn-babar/
- Leslie Jones can be found here on Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/lesdogggg/?hl=en
- And I believe this was the Buzzfeed article Kate referred to. It's called Right Now the Only Thing I Care About Is Olympic Skater Adam Rippon's Tweets : https://www.buzzfeed.com/samstryker/adam-rippon-twitter?utm_term=.ym4xwvmgD#.ly1aJb5Z2
You can find the complete set of Show Notes at Betsy's blog here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/02/19/fuse-8-n-kate-the-story-of-babar-the-little-elephant-by-jean-de-brunhoff/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/398329419Episode 31 - Curious GeorgeMon, 12 Feb 2018 13:27:01 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-31-curious-george
00:36:36Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoAbout two weeks ago Kate and Betsy recorded a killer episode where they discussed the classic status (or lack thereof) of Curious George. Naturally, the computer ate the whole dang thing. This week they try it again. Kate’s already read the book so they're changing things up a little. Together, they get to use the phrase, “predicated on a lie”, discuss Zul’s hair, 1940s sailor twerking, and the ultimate lesson that white men get to do anything they want. Interestingly it makes for a much more succinct episode.
Show Notes:
- The real Betsy Bird: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pjU_WuA7pY
- Where George showed up on the Top 100 Picture Books Poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/05/29/top-100-picture-books-41-curious-george-by-h-a-rey/
-Werner Herzog reads Curious George: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7T8y5EPv6Y8
- And for the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/02/12/fuse-8-n-kate-curious-george-by-margret-and-h-a-rey/About two weeks ago Kate and Betsy recorded a kil…About two weeks ago Kate and Betsy recorded a killer episode where they discussed the classic status (or lack thereof) of Curious George. Naturally, the computer ate the whole dang thing. This week they try it again. Kate’s already read the book so they're changing things up a little. Together, they get to use the phrase, “predicated on a lie”, discuss Zul’s hair, 1940s sailor twerking, and the ultimate lesson that white men get to do anything they want. Interestingly it makes for a much more succinct episode.
Show Notes:
- The real Betsy Bird: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pjU_WuA7pY
- Where George showed up on the Top 100 Picture Books Poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/05/29/top-100-picture-books-41-curious-george-by-h-a-rey/
-Werner Herzog reads Curious George: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7T8y5EPv6Y8
- And for the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/02/12/fuse-8-n-kate-curious-george-by-margret-and-h-a-rey/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/394685103Episode 30 - Caldecott ContendersMon, 05 Feb 2018 05:35:47 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-30-caldecott-contenders
00:43:29Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoWe're so excited! Kate and Betsy take a little break from their usual schtick this week because a week from today is the most exciting day of the year. You know the one we mean. It's a week until the ALA Youth Media Awards where they'll be announcing the Newbery and Caldecott Awards!!! To celebrate, Kate and Betsy find three top contenders for this year's Medal. Three top contenders that all feature light blue skies on their covers, apparently.
Show Notes:
- The link to the live feed of the ALA Youth Media Awards on Monday, February 12th can be found here: http://ala.unikron.com/2018/index_home.php
- The hashtag for the Awards on Twitter will be #alayma
-If you would like to see the full Show Notes for this episode, just go to: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/02/05/fuse-8-n-kate-super-special-caldecott-contender-edition/We're so excited! Kate and Betsy take a little br…We're so excited! Kate and Betsy take a little break from their usual schtick this week because a week from today is the most exciting day of the year. You know the one we mean. It's a week until the ALA Youth Media Awards where they'll be announcing the Newbery and Caldecott Awards!!! To celebrate, Kate and Betsy find three top contenders for this year's Medal. Three top contenders that all feature light blue skies on their covers, apparently.
Show Notes:
- The link to the live feed of the ALA Youth Media Awards on Monday, February 12th can be found here: http://ala.unikron.com/2018/index_home.php
- The hashtag for the Awards on Twitter will be #alayma
-If you would like to see the full Show Notes for this episode, just go to: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/02/05/fuse-8-n-kate-super-special-caldecott-contender-edition/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/387239333Episode 29 - The Tale of Peter RabbitMon, 22 Jan 2018 04:35:10 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-29-the-tale-of-peter-rabbit
00:37:15Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoThis week Betsy pokes her head out of the metaphorical dirt and realizes that there's a great big, wonderful world out there. A world filled with movies based on picture books. Movies like the upcoming Peter Rabbit film. So to honor (slash counteract) its debut in theaters, the sisters consider the original Beatrix Potter in all its teeny tiny glory. Kate in turn, manages to find things about it that Betsy has never really considered, like the book's inherent ageism and the Beatrix Potter/Harry Potter connection (warning: it's a stretch).
Source Notes:
- You'll find Beatrix's description of Dr. Seuss's works here: https://theconversation.com/its-not-obtuse-to-deduce-theres-a-new-dr-seuss-on-the-loose-37970
- As I mentioned, this book came in at #19 on the Top 100 Picture Books poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/06/14/top-100-picture-books-19-the-tale-of-peter-rabbit-by-beatrix-potter/
-Here's where I did my research on whether or not Beatrix Potter terrorized little Roald Dahl. Read the article "Buzz off" and other advice from one writer to another: http://wildthings.blaine.org/?p=167
- For the full Show Notes go here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/?p=30666This week Betsy pokes her head out of the metapho…This week Betsy pokes her head out of the metaphorical dirt and realizes that there's a great big, wonderful world out there. A world filled with movies based on picture books. Movies like the upcoming Peter Rabbit film. So to honor (slash counteract) its debut in theaters, the sisters consider the original Beatrix Potter in all its teeny tiny glory. Kate in turn, manages to find things about it that Betsy has never really considered, like the book's inherent ageism and the Beatrix Potter/Harry Potter connection (warning: it's a stretch).
Source Notes:
- You'll find Beatrix's description of Dr. Seuss's works here: https://theconversation.com/its-not-obtuse-to-deduce-theres-a-new-dr-seuss-on-the-loose-37970
- As I mentioned, this book came in at #19 on the Top 100 Picture Books poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/06/14/top-100-picture-books-19-the-tale-of-peter-rabbit-by-beatrix-potter/
-Here's where I did my research on whether or not Beatrix Potter terrorized little Roald Dahl. Read the article "Buzz off" and other advice from one writer to another: http://wildthings.blaine.org/?p=167
- For the full Show Notes go here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/?p=30666tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/383786651Episode 28 - The Lonely DollMon, 15 Jan 2018 05:41:43 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-28-the-lonely-doll
00:43:37Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoAt long last Betsy moves Kate from the standard "classic picture books" into the far stranger "cult classic picture books" territory. But don't they deserve love as well? That's the question the sisters set out to answer. Along the way Betsy discusses her most successful Halloween costume of all time, and Kate suffers through her third day on the Whole30.
Show Notes:
- I wasn't making that up. Famke Janssen really did have a home invasion and this book really was left behind: https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2013/09/famke-janssen-creepy-book-saga-weirdest-gossip-story-of-year
- By the way, they don't mention it in the episode but back in 2016 it was reported that Naomi Watts and Jessica Lange were slated to star in The Secret Life of the Lonely Doll: http://www.indiewire.com/2016/03/naomi-watts-jessica-lange-to-star-in-gia-coppolas-the-secret-life-of-the-lonely-doll-259556/
- For the full Show Notes please visit us here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/01/15/fuse-8-n-kate-the-lonely-doll-by-dare-wright/At long last Betsy moves Kate from the standard "…At long last Betsy moves Kate from the standard "classic picture books" into the far stranger "cult classic picture books" territory. But don't they deserve love as well? That's the question the sisters set out to answer. Along the way Betsy discusses her most successful Halloween costume of all time, and Kate suffers through her third day on the Whole30.
Show Notes:
- I wasn't making that up. Famke Janssen really did have a home invasion and this book really was left behind: https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2013/09/famke-janssen-creepy-book-saga-weirdest-gossip-story-of-year
- By the way, they don't mention it in the episode but back in 2016 it was reported that Naomi Watts and Jessica Lange were slated to star in The Secret Life of the Lonely Doll: http://www.indiewire.com/2016/03/naomi-watts-jessica-lange-to-star-in-gia-coppolas-the-secret-life-of-the-lonely-doll-259556/
- For the full Show Notes please visit us here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/01/15/fuse-8-n-kate-the-lonely-doll-by-dare-wright/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/380398040Episode 27 - The Snowy DayMon, 08 Jan 2018 06:08:25 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-27-the-snowy-day
00:37:33Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoThe crummy weather has determined the subject of this week's particular podcast. And there are few picture books out there snowier than this old Keats classic. Easily considered one of the Top 5 picture books in the nation in terms of fame and popularity, Kate had nevertheless not really even heard of it. Betsy sets about to do some serious sis-splaining.
Source Notes:
- Here are The Snowy Day stamps: https://store.usps.com/store/product/buy-stamps/the-snowy-day-S_676104
-Here's the Snowy Day Christmas special with Boyz II Men: https://www.themarysue.com/snowy-day-animated/
- If you're curious about this book, you should certain read Betsy's post when it hit #5 in her Top 100 Picture Book Poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/06/21/top-100-picture-books-5-the-snowy-day-by-ezra-jack-keats/
-Further information! Here's the link to The Ezra Jack Keats Foundation: http://www.ezra-jack-keats.org/
-And here's the link to the Ezra Jack Keats Award: http://www.ezra-jack-keats.org/section/ezra-jack-keats-book-awards/
-For full Show Notes please visit our site here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/01/08/fuse-8-n-kate-the-snowy-day-by-ezra-jack-keats/The crummy weather has determined the subject of …The crummy weather has determined the subject of this week's particular podcast. And there are few picture books out there snowier than this old Keats classic. Easily considered one of the Top 5 picture books in the nation in terms of fame and popularity, Kate had nevertheless not really even heard of it. Betsy sets about to do some serious sis-splaining.
Source Notes:
- Here are The Snowy Day stamps: https://store.usps.com/store/product/buy-stamps/the-snowy-day-S_676104
-Here's the Snowy Day Christmas special with Boyz II Men: https://www.themarysue.com/snowy-day-animated/
- If you're curious about this book, you should certain read Betsy's post when it hit #5 in her Top 100 Picture Book Poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/06/21/top-100-picture-books-5-the-snowy-day-by-ezra-jack-keats/
-Further information! Here's the link to The Ezra Jack Keats Foundation: http://www.ezra-jack-keats.org/
-And here's the link to the Ezra Jack Keats Award: http://www.ezra-jack-keats.org/section/ezra-jack-keats-book-awards/
-For full Show Notes please visit our site here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/01/08/fuse-8-n-kate-the-snowy-day-by-ezra-jack-keats/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/377608490Episode 26 - The Little Engine That CouldTue, 02 Jan 2018 04:44:58 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-26-the-little-engine-that-could
00:41:41Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoHappy New Year! It's another edition of Fuse 8 n' Kate which, at this rate, may be soon renamed The Random Facts About Koalas Show. With today's book Betsy sought out a classic with a strong female protagonist. Kate (and some of you out there) may contest whether or not this engine is, indeed, is the real deal. Or (and here the sisters butt heads) even female at all.
Source Notes:
- Koalas Fighting a.k.a. The sound of the devil. Wait for it, though. You don't hear the hellspawn that is the sound Kate was referring to until near the end of the vid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8oLu7znwQ0
-All the info Betsy conjures up about this book can be linked to #54 on the Top 100 Poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2009/04/11/top-100-picture-books-poll-results-55-51/
- Interested in this book? We suggest that you read Roy E. Plotnick's In Search of Watty Piper: A Brief History of the "Little Engine" Story published at The University of Illinois at Chicago: http://tigger.uic.edu/~plotnick/littleng.htm
- Read the full Source Notes for this episode here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/01/02/fuse-8-n-kate-the-little-engine-that-could-by-watty-piperHappy New Year! It's another edition of Fuse 8 n'…Happy New Year! It's another edition of Fuse 8 n' Kate which, at this rate, may be soon renamed The Random Facts About Koalas Show. With today's book Betsy sought out a classic with a strong female protagonist. Kate (and some of you out there) may contest whether or not this engine is, indeed, is the real deal. Or (and here the sisters butt heads) even female at all.
Source Notes:
- Koalas Fighting a.k.a. The sound of the devil. Wait for it, though. You don't hear the hellspawn that is the sound Kate was referring to until near the end of the vid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8oLu7znwQ0
-All the info Betsy conjures up about this book can be linked to #54 on the Top 100 Poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2009/04/11/top-100-picture-books-poll-results-55-51/
- Interested in this book? We suggest that you read Roy E. Plotnick's In Search of Watty Piper: A Brief History of the "Little Engine" Story published at The University of Illinois at Chicago: http://tigger.uic.edu/~plotnick/littleng.htm
- Read the full Source Notes for this episode here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/01/02/fuse-8-n-kate-the-little-engine-that-could-by-watty-pipertag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/375211076Episode 24 - The Polar ExpressWed, 27 Dec 2017 05:57:51 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-24-the-polar-express
00:33:51Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoIn honor of the holiday season, the sisters tackle a Christmassy classic. Betsy creates a name drop jar, produces a weirdly Yoda/Elmo-like elf voice, and explains why her blog is called A Fuse #8 Production. Kate, meanwhile, compares this book to Hunger Games (and it makes sense)and creates a connection between The Polar Express and Love Actually (which makes no sense but still works).
Show Notes:
- In case you'd like to hear Liam Neeson read this book you can do so here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dfd8uoaSZ2M
- Adding fuel to Kate's fire, Josh Hutcherson's first major role was "The Polar Express" and he went on to star in "The Hunger Games." Apparently he's drawn to trains. Here's an interview he did about working with Tom Hanks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ix_KKbdZU_o
- #56 on the Top 100 Picture Books poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/05/25/top-100-picture-books-56-the-polar-express-by-chris-van-allsburg/
-The Polar Express Train Ride from St. Louis Union Station can be seen here: http://www.stlthepolarexpressride.com/polar-express-train-ride/
- Also Journey to the North Pole from North Conway Village: https://conwayscenic.com/events/event/journey-to-the-north-pole/
- Betsy's interview with Chris Van Allsburg can be read here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2013/10/21/you-cant-go-broke-overestimating-the-intelligence-of-children-chris-van-allsburg-and-the-eric-carle-honor-of-2013/
- Yep. There's a hobo on that roof all right : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxCkIlBvF-s
- Betsy's favorite cookbook of all time: https://shop.americastestkitchen.com/science-of-good-cooking-bks.html
Full Show Notes can be found here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/12/27/fuse-8-n-kate-the-polar-express-by-chris-van-allsburg/In honor of the holiday season, the sisters tackl…In honor of the holiday season, the sisters tackle a Christmassy classic. Betsy creates a name drop jar, produces a weirdly Yoda/Elmo-like elf voice, and explains why her blog is called A Fuse #8 Production. Kate, meanwhile, compares this book to Hunger Games (and it makes sense)and creates a connection between The Polar Express and Love Actually (which makes no sense but still works).
Show Notes:
- In case you'd like to hear Liam Neeson read this book you can do so here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dfd8uoaSZ2M
- Adding fuel to Kate's fire, Josh Hutcherson's first major role was "The Polar Express" and he went on to star in "The Hunger Games." Apparently he's drawn to trains. Here's an interview he did about working with Tom Hanks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ix_KKbdZU_o
- #56 on the Top 100 Picture Books poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/05/25/top-100-picture-books-56-the-polar-express-by-chris-van-allsburg/
-The Polar Express Train Ride from St. Louis Union Station can be seen here: http://www.stlthepolarexpressride.com/polar-express-train-ride/
- Also Journey to the North Pole from North Conway Village: https://conwayscenic.com/events/event/journey-to-the-north-pole/
- Betsy's interview with Chris Van Allsburg can be read here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2013/10/21/you-cant-go-broke-overestimating-the-intelligence-of-children-chris-van-allsburg-and-the-eric-carle-honor-of-2013/
- Yep. There's a hobo on that roof all right : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxCkIlBvF-s
- Betsy's favorite cookbook of all time: https://shop.americastestkitchen.com/science-of-good-cooking-bks.html
Full Show Notes can be found here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/12/27/fuse-8-n-kate-the-polar-express-by-chris-van-allsburg/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/371051240Episode 24 - Hershel and the Hanukkah GoblinsMon, 18 Dec 2017 05:15:33 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-24-hershel-and-the-hanukkah-goblins
00:33:23Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoKate asks for a Hanukkah book this week so Betsy turns to an old reliable: Caldecott Honor books. Today's has been performed by and read to children for years. You might debate the degree to which this book is part of the cultural zeitgeist, but that shiny silver sticker on the cover means that it is certainly one of the only (THE only?) Hanukkah books to win a Caldecott anything. Christmas books win all the time. Jewish holidays? Not so much. Here then is a sickly Kate and a very well Betsy talking up the book of the season.
- Curious listeners should check out Marjorie Ingall's piece in Tablet Magazine Judah Maccabee Versus the Anti-Vaxxers: How a Hanukkah-themed children’s book became the target of conspiracy theorists online: http://www.tabletmag.com/scroll/249658/judah-maccabee-versus-the-anti-vaxxers
- Read the Publishers Weekly piece A Haunting Anniversary 'Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins' Turns 25 to get the true inside peek into the book: https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/64643-a-haunting-anniversary-hershel-and-the-hanukkah-goblins-turns-25.html
- Ah, Trina. Here is where you can get more info on what she used to sneak into her books, including both the gravestone and the witch's table. https://www.huffingtonpost.com/betsy-bird-/childrens-literature-book_b_5631831.html
- To see the full Show Notes visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/12/18/fuse-8-n-kate-hershel-and-the-hanukkah-goblins-by-eric-kimmel-ill-trina-schart-hyman/Kate asks for a Hanukkah book this week so Betsy …Kate asks for a Hanukkah book this week so Betsy turns to an old reliable: Caldecott Honor books. Today's has been performed by and read to children for years. You might debate the degree to which this book is part of the cultural zeitgeist, but that shiny silver sticker on the cover means that it is certainly one of the only (THE only?) Hanukkah books to win a Caldecott anything. Christmas books win all the time. Jewish holidays? Not so much. Here then is a sickly Kate and a very well Betsy talking up the book of the season.
- Curious listeners should check out Marjorie Ingall's piece in Tablet Magazine Judah Maccabee Versus the Anti-Vaxxers: How a Hanukkah-themed children’s book became the target of conspiracy theorists online: http://www.tabletmag.com/scroll/249658/judah-maccabee-versus-the-anti-vaxxers
- Read the Publishers Weekly piece A Haunting Anniversary 'Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins' Turns 25 to get the true inside peek into the book: https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/64643-a-haunting-anniversary-hershel-and-the-hanukkah-goblins-turns-25.html
- Ah, Trina. Here is where you can get more info on what she used to sneak into her books, including both the gravestone and the witch's table. https://www.huffingtonpost.com/betsy-bird-/childrens-literature-book_b_5631831.html
- To see the full Show Notes visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/12/18/fuse-8-n-kate-hershel-and-the-hanukkah-goblins-by-eric-kimmel-ill-trina-schart-hyman/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/367862921Episode 23 - MadelineMon, 11 Dec 2017 05:30:26 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-23-madeline
00:40:01Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoIf you've ever found yourself thinking, "You know, I like the Fuse 8 n' Kate podcast, but would it kill them to occasionally do terrible French accents for long periods of time?" then have we got a show for you!! This week Kate's sick, but the sisters plod onward and upward. In the course of things the episode turns out to be a momentous one. We doubt you'll see where this conversation will turn. It's a shocker.
Show Notes:
- In case you missed it you can check out this 9-second Vine of Nickelback called "Look At This Graph". Full explanation here: https://www.buzzfeed.com/craigsilverman/people-cant-stop-watching-this-hilarious-nine-sec?utm_term=.pu8lKjz8r#.dwN8j51nP
- Actually, the book came out in 1939. So that whole "Post-WWII" bit . . . um . . . yeah.
- No. They visit her after Day Ten. Betsy says it's between 1-10 days. Nope. It's post ten.
- In the first Top 100 Picture Books poll, Madeline was at #8: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2009/05/06/top-100-picture-books-poll-results-8/
- When the poll was repeated three years later it sank to #47: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/05/29/top-100-picture-books-47-madeline-by-ludwig-bemelmans/
- The Bemelmans Bar? So very awesome. Worth a trip, I assure you. It's located in The Carlyle: https://www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/the-carlyle-new-york/dining/bemelmans-bar
- For a marvelous post on the gaping, huge flaw, please read the marvelous Peter Sieruta piece at Collecting Children's Books called Something is Not Right: A Madeline Mystery: http://collectingchildrensbooks.blogspot.com/2009/01/something-is-not-right-madeline-mystery.html
For full Show Notes visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/12/11/fuse-8-n-kate-madeline-by-ludwig-bemelmans/If you've ever found yourself thinking, "You know…If you've ever found yourself thinking, "You know, I like the Fuse 8 n' Kate podcast, but would it kill them to occasionally do terrible French accents for long periods of time?" then have we got a show for you!! This week Kate's sick, but the sisters plod onward and upward. In the course of things the episode turns out to be a momentous one. We doubt you'll see where this conversation will turn. It's a shocker.
Show Notes:
- In case you missed it you can check out this 9-second Vine of Nickelback called "Look At This Graph". Full explanation here: https://www.buzzfeed.com/craigsilverman/people-cant-stop-watching-this-hilarious-nine-sec?utm_term=.pu8lKjz8r#.dwN8j51nP
- Actually, the book came out in 1939. So that whole "Post-WWII" bit . . . um . . . yeah.
- No. They visit her after Day Ten. Betsy says it's between 1-10 days. Nope. It's post ten.
- In the first Top 100 Picture Books poll, Madeline was at #8: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2009/05/06/top-100-picture-books-poll-results-8/
- When the poll was repeated three years later it sank to #47: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/05/29/top-100-picture-books-47-madeline-by-ludwig-bemelmans/
- The Bemelmans Bar? So very awesome. Worth a trip, I assure you. It's located in The Carlyle: https://www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/the-carlyle-new-york/dining/bemelmans-bar
- For a marvelous post on the gaping, huge flaw, please read the marvelous Peter Sieruta piece at Collecting Children's Books called Something is Not Right: A Madeline Mystery: http://collectingchildrensbooks.blogspot.com/2009/01/something-is-not-right-madeline-mystery.html
For full Show Notes visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/12/11/fuse-8-n-kate-madeline-by-ludwig-bemelmans/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/364651796Episode 22 - CorduroyMon, 04 Dec 2017 04:02:25 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-22-corduroy
00:36:00Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoBetsy and Kate welcome in the holiday season with a bit of copious consumption.
Show Notes:
- This episode was brought to you by . . . Viola Davis. http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/books/ct-viola-davis-corduroy-children-s-story-20171010-story.html
- I am so right. There is no comic duo like Strega Nona and Anthony. NO ONE!
- I am very interested in your evidence as to whether or not Corduroy really does have agency, or if this is just in the girl's head.
- The two sequels to Corduroy are Don Freeman created a sequel, A Pocket for Corduroy, in 1978. In 2006, B. G. Hennessy created Corduroy Lost and Found as a sequel. And I don't mention it but there were lots of unofficial Corduroy sequels, but I didn't feel they were worth mentioning.
- #22 on the picture book poll was Corduroy! http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/06/11/top-100-picture-books-22-corduroy-by-donald-freeman/
- The wikipedia page for Corduroy. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corduroy_(book)
- Woohoo! Today's Special. This one goes out to all of you who watched it when I did on early Nickelodeon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cxLfIs051c
- Once you see it, you can never unsee it. The Corduroy television movie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h73uNiS3PYA
- And, of course, the television show. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FtDfeauNDk
- American Vandal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3tkFOtM6go
- Stranger Things (for the four of you who don't know it): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWxyRG_tckY
For the full Show Notes: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/12/04/fuse-8-n-kate-corduroy-by-don-freemanBetsy and Kate welcome in the holiday season with…Betsy and Kate welcome in the holiday season with a bit of copious consumption.
Show Notes:
- This episode was brought to you by . . . Viola Davis. http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/books/ct-viola-davis-corduroy-children-s-story-20171010-story.html
- I am so right. There is no comic duo like Strega Nona and Anthony. NO ONE!
- I am very interested in your evidence as to whether or not Corduroy really does have agency, or if this is just in the girl's head.
- The two sequels to Corduroy are Don Freeman created a sequel, A Pocket for Corduroy, in 1978. In 2006, B. G. Hennessy created Corduroy Lost and Found as a sequel. And I don't mention it but there were lots of unofficial Corduroy sequels, but I didn't feel they were worth mentioning.
- #22 on the picture book poll was Corduroy! http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/06/11/top-100-picture-books-22-corduroy-by-donald-freeman/
- The wikipedia page for Corduroy. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corduroy_(book)
- Woohoo! Today's Special. This one goes out to all of you who watched it when I did on early Nickelodeon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cxLfIs051c
- Once you see it, you can never unsee it. The Corduroy television movie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h73uNiS3PYA
- And, of course, the television show. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FtDfeauNDk
- American Vandal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3tkFOtM6go
- Stranger Things (for the four of you who don't know it): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWxyRG_tckY
For the full Show Notes: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/12/04/fuse-8-n-kate-corduroy-by-don-freemantag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/361426970Episode 21 - Strega NonaMon, 27 Nov 2017 05:50:36 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-21-strega-nona
00:36:41Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoIn this episode the sisters make it clear that Strega Nona has committed a cardinal sin. Not the creation of magic (the priest and nuns seem a-okay with her on that point). No we're talking about the moment she snatches away a pregnant woman's fork. What's up with that? Amidst Italian draculas and injured space monkeys, Kate and Betsy attempt to ascertain if Strega Nona really does deserve to be considered a classic of children's literature.
Show Notes:
- To know more about the life of Big Anthony, check out Big Anthony: His Story : https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-399-23189-6
- For the sequel with Strega Amelia, you'll want Strega Nona Meets Her Match : https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-399-22421-8
-Minh Le's bit on Strega Nona can be found here but its brilliance belongs to the masses: http://www.bottomshelfbooks.com/2007/06/strega-nona.html
- Can you crack The dePaola Code? It's a doozy: http://discomermaids.blogspot.com/2006/05/depaola-code-nana.html
-You can find Handsome Big Anthony in Big Anthony and the Magic Ring: https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/books/big-anthony-and-the-magic-ring-by-tomie-depaola/
-Kate mentions the Freelance Wrestling Show in Chicago: http://freelancewrestling.com/
-Cannot recommend this book enough. Cake Magic by Caroline Wright : https://www.workman.com/products/cake-magic
For the complete Show Notes please visit http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/11/27/fuse-8-n-kate-strega-nona-by-tomie-depaola/In this episode the sisters make it clear that St…In this episode the sisters make it clear that Strega Nona has committed a cardinal sin. Not the creation of magic (the priest and nuns seem a-okay with her on that point). No we're talking about the moment she snatches away a pregnant woman's fork. What's up with that? Amidst Italian draculas and injured space monkeys, Kate and Betsy attempt to ascertain if Strega Nona really does deserve to be considered a classic of children's literature.
Show Notes:
- To know more about the life of Big Anthony, check out Big Anthony: His Story : https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-399-23189-6
- For the sequel with Strega Amelia, you'll want Strega Nona Meets Her Match : https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-399-22421-8
-Minh Le's bit on Strega Nona can be found here but its brilliance belongs to the masses: http://www.bottomshelfbooks.com/2007/06/strega-nona.html
- Can you crack The dePaola Code? It's a doozy: http://discomermaids.blogspot.com/2006/05/depaola-code-nana.html
-You can find Handsome Big Anthony in Big Anthony and the Magic Ring: https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/books/big-anthony-and-the-magic-ring-by-tomie-depaola/
-Kate mentions the Freelance Wrestling Show in Chicago: http://freelancewrestling.com/
-Cannot recommend this book enough. Cake Magic by Caroline Wright : https://www.workman.com/products/cake-magic
For the complete Show Notes please visit http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/11/27/fuse-8-n-kate-strega-nona-by-tomie-depaola/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/358283996Episode 20 - Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's EarsMon, 20 Nov 2017 05:18:16 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-20-why-mosquitoes-buzz-in-peoples-ears
00:41:47Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoToday Betsy and Kate decide to class up the joint. Leo Dillon was the first African-American Caldecott Award winner and it was for this book in 1976. The era of the folktale has long since passed and yet, for all that, this book endures. Why? The sisters decide to get to the bottom of the matter.
Show Notes:
- For the record we highly recommend the CDs of LuAnn Adams, who is a truly magnificent storyteller: http://www.luannadamsstoryteller.com/
- In case you're curious, here's the link to NYPL's 100 Great Books, 100 Years: https://www.nypl.org/childrens100
- And yeah. She wasn't wrong. Koalas can give you chlamydia. Ugh. https://io9.gizmodo.com/5920738/you-can-accidentally-get-an-std-from-a-koala
- For the record, here's what CNN had to say about The Polar Express: "The mouth action is also less than overwhelming, since the characters' tongues look like slabs of meat when they speak their lines."
- Kate confirmed later that yes, it was a ferret and not a marmot, in the bathtub in The Big Lebowski. http://thebiglebowski.wikia.com/wiki/Marmot
- And for those of you who are curious, here's The Awkward Yeti. http://theawkwardyeti.com/
- Read the full Show Notes here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/11/20/fuse-8-n-kate-why-mosquitoes-buzz-in-peoples-ears/Today Betsy and Kate decide to class up the joint…Today Betsy and Kate decide to class up the joint. Leo Dillon was the first African-American Caldecott Award winner and it was for this book in 1976. The era of the folktale has long since passed and yet, for all that, this book endures. Why? The sisters decide to get to the bottom of the matter.
Show Notes:
- For the record we highly recommend the CDs of LuAnn Adams, who is a truly magnificent storyteller: http://www.luannadamsstoryteller.com/
- In case you're curious, here's the link to NYPL's 100 Great Books, 100 Years: https://www.nypl.org/childrens100
- And yeah. She wasn't wrong. Koalas can give you chlamydia. Ugh. https://io9.gizmodo.com/5920738/you-can-accidentally-get-an-std-from-a-koala
- For the record, here's what CNN had to say about The Polar Express: "The mouth action is also less than overwhelming, since the characters' tongues look like slabs of meat when they speak their lines."
- Kate confirmed later that yes, it was a ferret and not a marmot, in the bathtub in The Big Lebowski. http://thebiglebowski.wikia.com/wiki/Marmot
- And for those of you who are curious, here's The Awkward Yeti. http://theawkwardyeti.com/
- Read the full Show Notes here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/11/20/fuse-8-n-kate-why-mosquitoes-buzz-in-peoples-ears/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/354981689Episode 19 - Cloudy with a Chance of MeatballsMon, 13 Nov 2017 05:47:19 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-19-cloudy-with-a-chance-of-meatballs
00:42:39Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoIn lieu of a famous Thanksgiving picture book (which does not exist) Betsy and Kate decide a good way to go would be to do something food-related. And what's more foodie than food falling from the sky? This one is easy since it had a film of the same name. It's remembered . . . sorta. Due to its length it isn't really performed in storytimes, and affection for it has more to do with nostalgia than anything else. Or is it fantastic? A little gem we've all ignored? The sisters tackle the book head on and find some surprising results.
- This Minh Le post on Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs may be 10 years old, but it's just as fresh and clear as it was back in the day: http://www.bottomshelfbooks.com/2007/02/cloudy-with-chance-of-meatballs_11.html
- Giant Jam Sandwich! Betsy says "mosquitoes" but it was flies, right? Or was it wasps? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iiv4AbrRsww
-Read the #75 post on the Top 100 Picture Books Poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/05/21/top-100-picture-books-75-cloudy-with-a-chance-of-meatballs-by-judi-barrett-illustrated-by-ron-barrett/
- Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs the movie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUaKcFI4BZY
- Accident by Andrea Tsurumi has a very similar tone to this book: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/07/07/review-of-the-day-accident-by-andrea-tsurumi-2/
- For the full Show Notes, visit http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/11/13/fuse-8-n-kate-cloudy-with-a-chance-of-meatballs-by-judi-barrett-and-ron-barrett/In lieu of a famous Thanksgiving picture book (wh…In lieu of a famous Thanksgiving picture book (which does not exist) Betsy and Kate decide a good way to go would be to do something food-related. And what's more foodie than food falling from the sky? This one is easy since it had a film of the same name. It's remembered . . . sorta. Due to its length it isn't really performed in storytimes, and affection for it has more to do with nostalgia than anything else. Or is it fantastic? A little gem we've all ignored? The sisters tackle the book head on and find some surprising results.
- This Minh Le post on Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs may be 10 years old, but it's just as fresh and clear as it was back in the day: http://www.bottomshelfbooks.com/2007/02/cloudy-with-chance-of-meatballs_11.html
- Giant Jam Sandwich! Betsy says "mosquitoes" but it was flies, right? Or was it wasps? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iiv4AbrRsww
-Read the #75 post on the Top 100 Picture Books Poll: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/05/21/top-100-picture-books-75-cloudy-with-a-chance-of-meatballs-by-judi-barrett-illustrated-by-ron-barrett/
- Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs the movie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUaKcFI4BZY
- Accident by Andrea Tsurumi has a very similar tone to this book: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/07/07/review-of-the-day-accident-by-andrea-tsurumi-2/
- For the full Show Notes, visit http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/11/13/fuse-8-n-kate-cloudy-with-a-chance-of-meatballs-by-judi-barrett-and-ron-barrett/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/351772132Episode 18 - Love You ForeverMon, 06 Nov 2017 05:10:19 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-18-love-you-forever
00:42:51Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoAfter a month of good but relatively obscure titles it's Very Special Episode Day for the Fuse 8 n' Kate podcast. Folks have requested this one since the show's inception and now, for your listening enjoyment, Kate at last meets this infamous title. Will she pull a Rainbow Fish on Betsy and defend it? Will the sisters see eye-to-eye on the matter? Will Betsy bring up the book's complicated backstory or let sleeping dogs lie? Warning: May also include the jazziest version of the Love You Forever song you'll ever hear.
Show Notes:
- Robert Munsch sings the song from Love You Forever: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFX6pdwJWpA
- Joey reads the book on Friends to Ross and Rachel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BauEPCnw55Y
- Taking the book to a whole other level, Children's Books Made Horrific tackles Love You Forever: http://the-toast.net/2014/09/18/love-forever/
- The trailer for Murder on the Orient Express: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mq4m3yAoW8E
- Square One and one of their best songs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DzfPcSysAg
- For full Show Notes, please visit A Fuse #8 Production at http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/11/06/fuse-8-n-kate-love-you-forever-by-robert-munsch-a-very-special-episodeAfter a month of good but relatively obscure titl…After a month of good but relatively obscure titles it's Very Special Episode Day for the Fuse 8 n' Kate podcast. Folks have requested this one since the show's inception and now, for your listening enjoyment, Kate at last meets this infamous title. Will she pull a Rainbow Fish on Betsy and defend it? Will the sisters see eye-to-eye on the matter? Will Betsy bring up the book's complicated backstory or let sleeping dogs lie? Warning: May also include the jazziest version of the Love You Forever song you'll ever hear.
Show Notes:
- Robert Munsch sings the song from Love You Forever: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFX6pdwJWpA
- Joey reads the book on Friends to Ross and Rachel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BauEPCnw55Y
- Taking the book to a whole other level, Children's Books Made Horrific tackles Love You Forever: http://the-toast.net/2014/09/18/love-forever/
- The trailer for Murder on the Orient Express: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mq4m3yAoW8E
- Square One and one of their best songs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DzfPcSysAg
- For full Show Notes, please visit A Fuse #8 Production at http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/11/06/fuse-8-n-kate-love-you-forever-by-robert-munsch-a-very-special-episodetag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/349219946Episode 17 - Creepy CarrotsMon, 30 Oct 2017 04:22:52 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-17-creepy-carrots
00:40:18Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoWho says horror never wins the big awards? This is perhaps the last time a scary picture book got serious Caldecottian love. It also marks the end of the October spooky books for Betsy and Kate. At least you get to hear them run through a range of Halloween sound effects. Poor ones, granted, but it's the thought that counts.
Show Notes:
- When the book first came out, this was the book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ag0LPVYpIu4
- By the way, can YOU name a classic Thanksgiving picture book? You can’t. You can name Thanksgiving picture books, sure, but one that’s massively famous? Not so much.
- By the way, the answer to the quiz question this week is COMPLETELY incorrect. Can you guess the right answer?
- I wasn’t wrong, as it turns out. From 2002-2003 there was indeed a “new” Twilight Zone: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0318252/
- That Creepy Crawlers commercial Kate remembers? It existed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0RK-l97NHY
-The Peter Brown book about the dog that I couldn’t remember (and that Jon Stewart’s son loved) was Chowder.
- The Monkey’s Paw by W.W. Jacobs is best described here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Monkey%27s_Paw
-At this point I wanted to include a video of Aaron reading from this book. Trouble is, I couldn’t find one online. That meant I had to find the next best thing. So, apparently at TXLA they have this lip-synching contest between kidlit vs. YAlit folks. And if Aaron Reynolds didn’t win it for this then what are we even talking about? This is THE best thing you’ll see all day long: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPRaQG8Zsz4
- In case you’re curious about the New Yorker piece here it is: Birth of a Supremacist - https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/10/16/birth-of-a-white-supremacist
- For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/10/30/spooky-october-infused-fuse-8-n-kate-creepy-carrots-by-aaron-reynolds-and-peter-brown/Who says horror never wins the big awards? This i…Who says horror never wins the big awards? This is perhaps the last time a scary picture book got serious Caldecottian love. It also marks the end of the October spooky books for Betsy and Kate. At least you get to hear them run through a range of Halloween sound effects. Poor ones, granted, but it's the thought that counts.
Show Notes:
- When the book first came out, this was the book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ag0LPVYpIu4
- By the way, can YOU name a classic Thanksgiving picture book? You can’t. You can name Thanksgiving picture books, sure, but one that’s massively famous? Not so much.
- By the way, the answer to the quiz question this week is COMPLETELY incorrect. Can you guess the right answer?
- I wasn’t wrong, as it turns out. From 2002-2003 there was indeed a “new” Twilight Zone: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0318252/
- That Creepy Crawlers commercial Kate remembers? It existed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0RK-l97NHY
-The Peter Brown book about the dog that I couldn’t remember (and that Jon Stewart’s son loved) was Chowder.
- The Monkey’s Paw by W.W. Jacobs is best described here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Monkey%27s_Paw
-At this point I wanted to include a video of Aaron reading from this book. Trouble is, I couldn’t find one online. That meant I had to find the next best thing. So, apparently at TXLA they have this lip-synching contest between kidlit vs. YAlit folks. And if Aaron Reynolds didn’t win it for this then what are we even talking about? This is THE best thing you’ll see all day long: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPRaQG8Zsz4
- In case you’re curious about the New Yorker piece here it is: Birth of a Supremacist - https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/10/16/birth-of-a-white-supremacist
- For the full Show Notes please visit: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/10/30/spooky-october-infused-fuse-8-n-kate-creepy-carrots-by-aaron-reynolds-and-peter-brown/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/348150365Episode 16 - The Spider and the FlyMon, 23 Oct 2017 04:11:36 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-16-the-spider-and-the-fly
00:39:06Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoShe likes it! She really likes it! Not to give anything away but Kate is fully enamored of The Spider and the Fly by Mary Howitt, illustrated by Tony DiTerlizzi. And why not? That seductive spider clearly knows what he's doing from the get-go. In this episode the sisters consider killing flying monkeys, Hocus Pocus (it is October after all), and whether or not a book this new really deserves to be called a "classic" quite so soon.
Show Notes:
- No apologies. Frank Morgan was marvelous in The Good Fairy. Clearly a man that benefited from a good strong mustache. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34pTHbhGaYc
- Here’s the link to Tony Diterlizzi’s website, where you can find all kinds of additional information. Scroll down and you’ll see a plethora of Spider and the Fly related links. http://diterlizzi.com/book/the-spider-the-fly/
- Wow! This Go Your Own YA podcast is great! They’re really just starting out but already they’ve covered Patricia McKissack and Lois Duncan. Check them out here: https://www.goyourownya.com/
- Apologies. It’s actually The Apple Dumpling Gang. Please don’t rake us over the coals.
- Though there has been much clamor for it, Hocus Pocus has never actually made it to Broadway. It has, however, been made into a parody musical. http://www.playbill.com/article/what-to-expect-from-the-hocus-pocus-musical-parody
- The Center for Teaching Through Children’s Books: Here’s a list of resources provided by the recent Indivisible Institute from many of the speakers. One stop shopping. https://padlet.com/berland/8fuf1e39fz18
- For the full Show Notes please visit http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/10/23/spooky-october-infused-fuse-8-n-kate-the-spider-and-the-fly-by-mary-howitt-and-tony-diterlizzi/She likes it! She really likes it! Not to give an…She likes it! She really likes it! Not to give anything away but Kate is fully enamored of The Spider and the Fly by Mary Howitt, illustrated by Tony DiTerlizzi. And why not? That seductive spider clearly knows what he's doing from the get-go. In this episode the sisters consider killing flying monkeys, Hocus Pocus (it is October after all), and whether or not a book this new really deserves to be called a "classic" quite so soon.
Show Notes:
- No apologies. Frank Morgan was marvelous in The Good Fairy. Clearly a man that benefited from a good strong mustache. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34pTHbhGaYc
- Here’s the link to Tony Diterlizzi’s website, where you can find all kinds of additional information. Scroll down and you’ll see a plethora of Spider and the Fly related links. http://diterlizzi.com/book/the-spider-the-fly/
- Wow! This Go Your Own YA podcast is great! They’re really just starting out but already they’ve covered Patricia McKissack and Lois Duncan. Check them out here: https://www.goyourownya.com/
- Apologies. It’s actually The Apple Dumpling Gang. Please don’t rake us over the coals.
- Though there has been much clamor for it, Hocus Pocus has never actually made it to Broadway. It has, however, been made into a parody musical. http://www.playbill.com/article/what-to-expect-from-the-hocus-pocus-musical-parody
- The Center for Teaching Through Children’s Books: Here’s a list of resources provided by the recent Indivisible Institute from many of the speakers. One stop shopping. https://padlet.com/berland/8fuf1e39fz18
- For the full Show Notes please visit http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/10/23/spooky-october-infused-fuse-8-n-kate-the-spider-and-the-fly-by-mary-howitt-and-tony-diterlizzi/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/347096279Episode 15 - Millions of Cats ft. James KennedyMon, 16 Oct 2017 04:34:00 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-15-millions-of-cats-ft-james-kennedy
00:40:40Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoSpooky October offerings continue with a book that Kate calls "Hunger Games . . . but cats!" Special guest James Kennedy joins us for a talk about cannibalistic kitties, stating accurately, "Of all of the children's books, maybe all the books ever written, this one has the highest body count." Along the way you are privy to an acapella rendition of the theme song, bad John Travolta puns, and lots of Yacht Rock.
- Be sure to read The Order of Odd Fish by James Kennedy. SLJ called it "depraved"! How many YA novels can you say THAT about? https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/91572/the-order-of-odd-fish-by-james-kennedy/9780440240655/
- The 90-Second Newbery Film Festival is James's baby. Kids make 90-second (approximately) videos of Newbery Award and Honor books and then James travels around the country showing them in his film festival. Honestly, for a kid to see their video up on the big screen, there's nothing to compare to that. Newest and latest submissions are due on January 12th. http://90secondnewbery.com/
- Read the Top 100 Picture Books poll post on Millions of Cats. http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/06/11/top-100-picture-books-21-millions-of-cats-by-wanda-gag/
- Millions of Cats done in Minecraft. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uD6H1O0TRA
-The ABC Bunny video of the song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leiXQbqAVME
- Full full Show Notes: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/10/16/spooky-october-infused-fuse-8-n-kate-millions-of-cats-by-wanda-gag-ft-james-kennedy/Spooky October offerings continue with a book tha…Spooky October offerings continue with a book that Kate calls "Hunger Games . . . but cats!" Special guest James Kennedy joins us for a talk about cannibalistic kitties, stating accurately, "Of all of the children's books, maybe all the books ever written, this one has the highest body count." Along the way you are privy to an acapella rendition of the theme song, bad John Travolta puns, and lots of Yacht Rock.
- Be sure to read The Order of Odd Fish by James Kennedy. SLJ called it "depraved"! How many YA novels can you say THAT about? https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/91572/the-order-of-odd-fish-by-james-kennedy/9780440240655/
- The 90-Second Newbery Film Festival is James's baby. Kids make 90-second (approximately) videos of Newbery Award and Honor books and then James travels around the country showing them in his film festival. Honestly, for a kid to see their video up on the big screen, there's nothing to compare to that. Newest and latest submissions are due on January 12th. http://90secondnewbery.com/
- Read the Top 100 Picture Books poll post on Millions of Cats. http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/06/11/top-100-picture-books-21-millions-of-cats-by-wanda-gag/
- Millions of Cats done in Minecraft. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uD6H1O0TRA
-The ABC Bunny video of the song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leiXQbqAVME
- Full full Show Notes: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/10/16/spooky-october-infused-fuse-8-n-kate-millions-of-cats-by-wanda-gag-ft-james-kennedy/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/345992286Episode 14 - Outside Over ThereMon, 09 Oct 2017 01:48:59 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-14-outside-over-there
00:39:45Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoSisterhood is stronger than fights over Jawas vs. Ewoks, though in this particular case the two come dangerously close to exchanging blows. In honor of October they decide to tackle some spooky picture book classics. And it's hard to get spookier than Sendak's classic tale of babynapping and ice changelings. Hold on to your horn, your little sister, and your sanity for this crazy ride.
Show Notes:
- Anyone who puts together a picture book cover involving Jim, the chicken, and the old lady from Good Night Moon for Kate wins Betsy's everlasting love.
- Are you fond of Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark? Then we highly recommend The 15 Most Disturbing Illustrations From “Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark, particularly if your memory needs a jog.
https://tuneinrockon.wordpress.com/2011/10/28/the-15-most-disturbing-illustrations-from-scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark/
- This is what Betsy meant when she referenced Rebel Without a Cause: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrkiBCusHs0
- Apparently the German Shepherd featured in this book was modeled after Sendak's dog Max. He would later adopt a different German Shepherd named Melville.
- Curious about The Dionne Quintuplets? Here's some background information. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dionne_quintuplets
- LifeSource: Information on donating blood. http://www.lifesource.org/donate-blood/
- Here is a link to Eddie Izzard's latest book. And, for the record, he was magnificent in person. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/318643/believe-me-by-eddie-izzard/9780399175831/
Full the full show notes for this episode, please visit Betsy's blog A Fuse #8 Production here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/10/09/spooky-october-infused-fuse-8-n-kate-outside-over-there-by-maurice-sendak/Sisterhood is stronger than fights over Jawas vs.…Sisterhood is stronger than fights over Jawas vs. Ewoks, though in this particular case the two come dangerously close to exchanging blows. In honor of October they decide to tackle some spooky picture book classics. And it's hard to get spookier than Sendak's classic tale of babynapping and ice changelings. Hold on to your horn, your little sister, and your sanity for this crazy ride.
Show Notes:
- Anyone who puts together a picture book cover involving Jim, the chicken, and the old lady from Good Night Moon for Kate wins Betsy's everlasting love.
- Are you fond of Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark? Then we highly recommend The 15 Most Disturbing Illustrations From “Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark, particularly if your memory needs a jog.
https://tuneinrockon.wordpress.com/2011/10/28/the-15-most-disturbing-illustrations-from-scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark/
- This is what Betsy meant when she referenced Rebel Without a Cause: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrkiBCusHs0
- Apparently the German Shepherd featured in this book was modeled after Sendak's dog Max. He would later adopt a different German Shepherd named Melville.
- Curious about The Dionne Quintuplets? Here's some background information. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dionne_quintuplets
- LifeSource: Information on donating blood. http://www.lifesource.org/donate-blood/
- Here is a link to Eddie Izzard's latest book. And, for the record, he was magnificent in person. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/318643/believe-me-by-eddie-izzard/9780399175831/
Full the full show notes for this episode, please visit Betsy's blog A Fuse #8 Production here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/10/09/spooky-october-infused-fuse-8-n-kate-outside-over-there-by-maurice-sendak/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/345109034Episode 13 - Hop on PopTue, 03 Oct 2017 04:38:08 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-13-hop-on-pop
00:35:42Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoIn this episode, Betsy and Kate decide to try to steer clear of Seussian controversy, unaware that even as they record this there is a debacle brewing with a school librarian, Melania Trump, and a host of Dr. Seuss books. Fortunately, while this book has been challenged in a library system (we'll get to that) it was not one of Ms. Trump's donations. Thank goodness for small favors. Along the way Kate identifies the most terrifying person in the book, Betsy has flashbacks to an old Smurfs episode, and the sisters talk seriously about why you can't put a skirt embedded with lights on a blow-up T-Rex costume.
Show Notes:
- The horrifying Smurf Rage Zombies. ComingSoon.net had exactly the same reaction to the episode that Betsy did and even makes a very strong case for why this story originally (in comic form) preceded George Romero's zombies by years. http://www.comingsoon.net/horror/news/749789-terror-tv-gnap-gnap-zombies-vs-smurfs-purple-smurfs
- Washington State University says that any spelling of "good-by" is legitimate and that "goodbye" is simply the most popular right now. https://brians.wsu.edu/2016/05/19/good-by-good-by-goodbye/
- Here, for your reading enjoyment, is a fully written complaint against Hop On Pop: http://www.cbc.ca/newsblogs/yourcommunity/2014/04/toronto-library-asked-to-ban-violent-dr-seuss-book-hop-on-pop.html?cmp=fbtl
- If you wish to follow The Niblings on our Facebook page you may do so here: https://www.facebook.com/TheNiblings/
- Here is Minh Le's full post on Hop On Pop. http://www.bottomshelfbooks.com/2007/04/hop-on-pop_09.html
- All the Dirty Parts by Daniel Handler: https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/all-the-dirty-parts-9781632868060/
- Kate's magnificently cool skirt can be purchased here: http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/jhsu/?srp=18
- For full Show Notes visit Betsy's blog here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/10/03/new-fuse-8-n-kate-episode-hop-on-pop-by-dr-seuss/In this episode, Betsy and Kate decide to try to …In this episode, Betsy and Kate decide to try to steer clear of Seussian controversy, unaware that even as they record this there is a debacle brewing with a school librarian, Melania Trump, and a host of Dr. Seuss books. Fortunately, while this book has been challenged in a library system (we'll get to that) it was not one of Ms. Trump's donations. Thank goodness for small favors. Along the way Kate identifies the most terrifying person in the book, Betsy has flashbacks to an old Smurfs episode, and the sisters talk seriously about why you can't put a skirt embedded with lights on a blow-up T-Rex costume.
Show Notes:
- The horrifying Smurf Rage Zombies. ComingSoon.net had exactly the same reaction to the episode that Betsy did and even makes a very strong case for why this story originally (in comic form) preceded George Romero's zombies by years. http://www.comingsoon.net/horror/news/749789-terror-tv-gnap-gnap-zombies-vs-smurfs-purple-smurfs
- Washington State University says that any spelling of "good-by" is legitimate and that "goodbye" is simply the most popular right now. https://brians.wsu.edu/2016/05/19/good-by-good-by-goodbye/
- Here, for your reading enjoyment, is a fully written complaint against Hop On Pop: http://www.cbc.ca/newsblogs/yourcommunity/2014/04/toronto-library-asked-to-ban-violent-dr-seuss-book-hop-on-pop.html?cmp=fbtl
- If you wish to follow The Niblings on our Facebook page you may do so here: https://www.facebook.com/TheNiblings/
- Here is Minh Le's full post on Hop On Pop. http://www.bottomshelfbooks.com/2007/04/hop-on-pop_09.html
- All the Dirty Parts by Daniel Handler: https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/all-the-dirty-parts-9781632868060/
- Kate's magnificently cool skirt can be purchased here: http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/jhsu/?srp=18
- For full Show Notes visit Betsy's blog here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/10/03/new-fuse-8-n-kate-episode-hop-on-pop-by-dr-seuss/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/344064416Episode 12 - If I Ran the ZooTue, 26 Sep 2017 04:38:53 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-12-if-i-ran-the-zoo
00:42:26Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoWe're back! Kate's voice has healed up so the sisters sit down to talk about our first Seuss. And what a Seuss it is too. Just in time for Banned Books Week they consider what should, in many ways, be Seuss's most controversial picture book. Along the way there may also be some talk about Bill Cosby, nerds, and raves.
Show Notes:
- Here is ALA’s list of Frequently Challenged Books for 2016. https://www.ila.org/content/documents/2016banned.pdf
- Like I say, I found nuthin’. So I went to 2015 here. http://www.ala.org/advocacy/sites/ala.org.advocacy/files/content/2015BannedList.pdf
- For further information on the implications behind the most famous of the Seuss books, please see Was the Cat in the Hat Black? by Phil Nel. I highly recommend this 45-minute illustrated lecture on the topic. https://plus.google.com/+PhilipNel/posts/3t6xoesSycm
- An interesting recent article from the New York Times on Dr. Seuss, his caricatures of WWII, and how the Dr. Seuss Museum prefers not to talk about any of that (at this time). https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/21/arts/design/dr-seuss-museum-theodor-geisel-political-cartoons.html
- An SLJ article on Read Across America’s recent decision to not highlight Seuss but diverse books instead. http://www.slj.com/2017/09/industry-news/cat-hat-racist-read-across-america-shifts-away-dr-seuss-toward-diverse-books/
- Here is how the official challenge to If I Ran the Zoo reads:
“Geisel, Theodor Seuss
If I Ran the Zoo
RANDOM HOUSE
Challenged, but retained at the
Vancouver, Canada, Public Library
(2014) despite a line in the poem about
helpers who “all wear their eyes at a
slant,” accompanied by illustrations that
are racial stereotypes of Asians. The
book is often credited with the first
printed modern English use of the word
“nerd” in a sentence. The library will no
longer read it at storytime or promote
it other than as resource material in a
study of how the portrayal of other
cultures has changed over time.”
- Universal Studio’s If I Ran the Zoo portion of Seuss Landing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofyYmAryEus
- Video of the woman reading this book. And I was wrong. She totally reads the worst part. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azBphmVSUj4
- The Moose Called Thidwick problem can be read more fully here. http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/09/06/gunning-for-your-children-when-picture-book-classics-pack-heat/
- Proof that “Eye of the Tiger” is in Rocky 3. Doggone it. Thanks, James. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27F46WPVJBs
- Schweddy Balls. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPpcfH_HHH8
- Here’s the link to the Patti LuPone interview. It is WELL worth your time! http://www.wnyc.org/story/269890-patti-lupone/
- This is my favorite thing of ALL TIME!!! It’s actually 13 seconds of delight, not 15. 15 would be too long. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3z2j6F8fZII
- You can find full show notes here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/09/26/new-fuse-8-n-kate-episode-if-i-ran-the-zoo-by-dr-seuss/We're back! Kate's voice has healed up so the sis…We're back! Kate's voice has healed up so the sisters sit down to talk about our first Seuss. And what a Seuss it is too. Just in time for Banned Books Week they consider what should, in many ways, be Seuss's most controversial picture book. Along the way there may also be some talk about Bill Cosby, nerds, and raves.
Show Notes:
- Here is ALA’s list of Frequently Challenged Books for 2016. https://www.ila.org/content/documents/2016banned.pdf
- Like I say, I found nuthin’. So I went to 2015 here. http://www.ala.org/advocacy/sites/ala.org.advocacy/files/content/2015BannedList.pdf
- For further information on the implications behind the most famous of the Seuss books, please see Was the Cat in the Hat Black? by Phil Nel. I highly recommend this 45-minute illustrated lecture on the topic. https://plus.google.com/+PhilipNel/posts/3t6xoesSycm
- An interesting recent article from the New York Times on Dr. Seuss, his caricatures of WWII, and how the Dr. Seuss Museum prefers not to talk about any of that (at this time). https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/21/arts/design/dr-seuss-museum-theodor-geisel-political-cartoons.html
- An SLJ article on Read Across America’s recent decision to not highlight Seuss but diverse books instead. http://www.slj.com/2017/09/industry-news/cat-hat-racist-read-across-america-shifts-away-dr-seuss-toward-diverse-books/
- Here is how the official challenge to If I Ran the Zoo reads:
“Geisel, Theodor Seuss
If I Ran the Zoo
RANDOM HOUSE
Challenged, but retained at the
Vancouver, Canada, Public Library
(2014) despite a line in the poem about
helpers who “all wear their eyes at a
slant,” accompanied by illustrations that
are racial stereotypes of Asians. The
book is often credited with the first
printed modern English use of the word
“nerd” in a sentence. The library will no
longer read it at storytime or promote
it other than as resource material in a
study of how the portrayal of other
cultures has changed over time.”
- Universal Studio’s If I Ran the Zoo portion of Seuss Landing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofyYmAryEus
- Video of the woman reading this book. And I was wrong. She totally reads the worst part. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azBphmVSUj4
- The Moose Called Thidwick problem can be read more fully here. http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/09/06/gunning-for-your-children-when-picture-book-classics-pack-heat/
- Proof that “Eye of the Tiger” is in Rocky 3. Doggone it. Thanks, James. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27F46WPVJBs
- Schweddy Balls. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPpcfH_HHH8
- Here’s the link to the Patti LuPone interview. It is WELL worth your time! http://www.wnyc.org/story/269890-patti-lupone/
- This is my favorite thing of ALL TIME!!! It’s actually 13 seconds of delight, not 15. 15 would be too long. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3z2j6F8fZII
- You can find full show notes here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/09/26/new-fuse-8-n-kate-episode-if-i-ran-the-zoo-by-dr-seuss/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/341832816Episode 11 - Lon Po PoMon, 11 Sep 2017 03:59:24 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-11-lon-po-po
00:38:28Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoIn desperate need to get the taste of The Berenstain Bears and the Bully out of their mouth, Betsy and Kate turn their sights to yet another Caldecott Award winner. This time it's Ed Young's take on the classic Chinese folktale Lon Po Po. Like the Red Riding Hood tale? Then you'll certainly enjoy this lovely tale where a trio of clever sisters break every friggin' bone in a wolf's body.
Show Notes:
- Pudding is not actually the 10th anniversary gift. But it should be.
- This is where Kate couldn't see the wolf in the first two-page spread:
http://www.vickiblackwell.com/lit/images/panelpics.jpg
- Had the wolf frequented his local supermarket he might have gotten the delicacies another way:
http://victor.iwi.com.sg/gjh/product_image/Mili_GingkoNuts.jpg
- Some light reading? Try your hand at Little Red Riding Hood Uncloaked: Sex, Morality, and the Evolution of a Fairy Tale Book by Catherine Orenstein:
- You know I'm desperate when I pull out my old copy of The Uses of Enchantment: The Meaning and Importance of Fairy Tales Book by Bruno Bettelheim
- Here's Yeh-Shen by Ed Young, which Kate mentions: http://www.mariespastiche.com/2013/07/yeh-shen-chinese-cinderella.html
- The truly gorgeous Mighty Moby by Barbara DaCosta is illustrated by Ed Young. Find it. Read it. Love it. https://mightymoby.wordpress.com/about-the-creation-of-mighty-moby/
- The Berenstain Bears picture book The Harvest Festival and, as you can see, there's a little light in the corner. If you know what it means you're fine. If you don't, you end up in Rebecca's position. http://d2qxx3fqcmq0dz.cloudfront.net/media/catalog/product/cache/7/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/9/7/9780310748656.jpg.1446997872.jpg
- The episode of Secrets of Story that mentions us can be found here. This is particularly recommended for fans of Dan Harmon as well. https://soundcloud.com/matt-bird-35537727/secrets-of-story-episode-6-raiders-of-the-story-circle
- A little information on The Good Place. I will say it again. This. Show. Is. A. Delight. https://www.nbc.com/the-good-place?nbc=1
- For the complete show notes, visit http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/09/11/new-fuse-8-n-kate-episode-lon-po-po-by-ed-young/In desperate need to get the taste of The Berenst…In desperate need to get the taste of The Berenstain Bears and the Bully out of their mouth, Betsy and Kate turn their sights to yet another Caldecott Award winner. This time it's Ed Young's take on the classic Chinese folktale Lon Po Po. Like the Red Riding Hood tale? Then you'll certainly enjoy this lovely tale where a trio of clever sisters break every friggin' bone in a wolf's body.
Show Notes:
- Pudding is not actually the 10th anniversary gift. But it should be.
- This is where Kate couldn't see the wolf in the first two-page spread:
http://www.vickiblackwell.com/lit/images/panelpics.jpg
- Had the wolf frequented his local supermarket he might have gotten the delicacies another way:
http://victor.iwi.com.sg/gjh/product_image/Mili_GingkoNuts.jpg
- Some light reading? Try your hand at Little Red Riding Hood Uncloaked: Sex, Morality, and the Evolution of a Fairy Tale Book by Catherine Orenstein:
- You know I'm desperate when I pull out my old copy of The Uses of Enchantment: The Meaning and Importance of Fairy Tales Book by Bruno Bettelheim
- Here's Yeh-Shen by Ed Young, which Kate mentions: http://www.mariespastiche.com/2013/07/yeh-shen-chinese-cinderella.html
- The truly gorgeous Mighty Moby by Barbara DaCosta is illustrated by Ed Young. Find it. Read it. Love it. https://mightymoby.wordpress.com/about-the-creation-of-mighty-moby/
- The Berenstain Bears picture book The Harvest Festival and, as you can see, there's a little light in the corner. If you know what it means you're fine. If you don't, you end up in Rebecca's position. http://d2qxx3fqcmq0dz.cloudfront.net/media/catalog/product/cache/7/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/9/7/9780310748656.jpg.1446997872.jpg
- The episode of Secrets of Story that mentions us can be found here. This is particularly recommended for fans of Dan Harmon as well. https://soundcloud.com/matt-bird-35537727/secrets-of-story-episode-6-raiders-of-the-story-circle
- A little information on The Good Place. I will say it again. This. Show. Is. A. Delight. https://www.nbc.com/the-good-place?nbc=1
- For the complete show notes, visit http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/09/11/new-fuse-8-n-kate-episode-lon-po-po-by-ed-young/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/340812906Episode 10 - The Berenstain Bears and the BullyMon, 04 Sep 2017 04:58:29 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-10-the-berenstain-bears-and-the-bully
00:42:18Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoOur tenth episode and what a splendid one it is too. Killing two birds with one stone, Betsy and Kate wrestle to the ground a listener recommendation AND a series title. Between speculating about alternate realities, corporal punishment, and baby wigs (which are apparently a thing) the sisters come to a mutual understanding on a title for once.
Show Notes:
- Yeah. We know King Lear doesn't actually get his eyeballs removed. That was Gloucester. Our bad.
- Different Lllama Llama rapper videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFtHeo7oMSU and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XX7JAHddY84
-Back in 2006 Leila Roy at bookshelves of doom was the first person I knew to encounter this book. At a garage sale, no less. Please read her hilarious post on the matter. http://bookshelvesofdoom.blogs.com/bookshelves_of_doom/2006/08/quick_quiz_for_.html
- The original Berenstain Bears theme song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjXiIZYsGJY
- You can read about the alternate reality theory about the Berenstain/stein Bears here: http://news.avclub.com/how-you-spell-the-berenstain-bears-could-be-proof-of-1798282836
- By the way, after Kate and I finished recording this episode we consulted with the resident Network Administrator and Cannon Ballast who mentioned something called "The Mandela Effect". Apparently shared false memories are a known phenomenon. Listen to the podcast Stuff to Blow Your Mind and the episode Shared False Memories and the Mandela Effect to learn more. http://www.stufftoblowyourmind.com/podcasts/shared-false-memories.htm
- Kate's recommendation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWF3YT8sRH8
- Betsy's top recommendation: http://www.missedinhistory.com/podcasts/mamie-till-mobley.htm
-And finally, want to read the book yourself but want someone else to do it for you? Maybe the most fascinating video on the subject. Note the Play-doh version of Sister -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIvRXBsEP1M
- For the full list of show notes, please visit A Fuse #8 Production here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/09/04/new-fuse-8-n-kate-episode-the-berenstain-bears-and-the-bully-by-stan-and-jan-berenstain/Our tenth episode and what a splendid one it is t…Our tenth episode and what a splendid one it is too. Killing two birds with one stone, Betsy and Kate wrestle to the ground a listener recommendation AND a series title. Between speculating about alternate realities, corporal punishment, and baby wigs (which are apparently a thing) the sisters come to a mutual understanding on a title for once.
Show Notes:
- Yeah. We know King Lear doesn't actually get his eyeballs removed. That was Gloucester. Our bad.
- Different Lllama Llama rapper videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFtHeo7oMSU and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XX7JAHddY84
-Back in 2006 Leila Roy at bookshelves of doom was the first person I knew to encounter this book. At a garage sale, no less. Please read her hilarious post on the matter. http://bookshelvesofdoom.blogs.com/bookshelves_of_doom/2006/08/quick_quiz_for_.html
- The original Berenstain Bears theme song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjXiIZYsGJY
- You can read about the alternate reality theory about the Berenstain/stein Bears here: http://news.avclub.com/how-you-spell-the-berenstain-bears-could-be-proof-of-1798282836
- By the way, after Kate and I finished recording this episode we consulted with the resident Network Administrator and Cannon Ballast who mentioned something called "The Mandela Effect". Apparently shared false memories are a known phenomenon. Listen to the podcast Stuff to Blow Your Mind and the episode Shared False Memories and the Mandela Effect to learn more. http://www.stufftoblowyourmind.com/podcasts/shared-false-memories.htm
- Kate's recommendation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWF3YT8sRH8
- Betsy's top recommendation: http://www.missedinhistory.com/podcasts/mamie-till-mobley.htm
-And finally, want to read the book yourself but want someone else to do it for you? Maybe the most fascinating video on the subject. Note the Play-doh version of Sister -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIvRXBsEP1M
- For the full list of show notes, please visit A Fuse #8 Production here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/09/04/new-fuse-8-n-kate-episode-the-berenstain-bears-and-the-bully-by-stan-and-jan-berenstain/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/339800692Episode 9 - Goodnight MoonMon, 28 Aug 2017 04:32:28 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-9-goodnight-moon
00:35:29Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoThings get off to a bang when Kate immediately throws Betsy off by calling the entire Harry Potter series "YA". After that things get weird. Sure, Goodnight Moon is one of the best known, best loved, most-received-at-baby-showers picture book classics of all time, but does it deserve the acclaim? The sisters discuss its sordid controversies, the book's forgotten ghost, and the danger of anatomically correct udders.
Show Notes:
- Proof of the existence of a pinhole camera saltine cracker. http://www.floridatoday.com/story/tech/science/space/2017/08/17/solar-eclipse-glasses-cracker-slotted-spoon/575694001/
- The two podcasts that gave us shout outs? First up is The Secrets of Story podcast, created by my very own Matt Bird and his partner-in-crime, YA author and 90-Second Newbery's papa, James Kennedy. https://soundcloud.com/matt-bird-35537727
- The other is the Books Between podcast. Hat tip to Corrina Allen for interviewing me recently. There is a really nice fart noise contest at the end of my episode that I highly recommend. http://www.allthewonders.com/podcasts/betsy-bird-books-between-episode-32/
The link to Goodnight Moon on my Top 100 Picture Book Poll. http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/06/23/top-100-picture-books-4-goodnight-moon-by-margaret-wise-brown-illustrated-by-clement-moore/
- Answer to The Little House : What book did Virginia Lee Burton create that was ahead of its time? Just prior to writing The Little House, Burton actually attempted to write a book that can only be described as far and away ahead of her time. In the late 30s, early 40s she noticed that her nine-year-old son loved his comic books. The answer? Calico the Wonder Horse; or, The Saga of Stewy Slinker was an honest-to-goodness picture book in a comic-book format. As Minders of Make-Believe puts it, the book was a “gallant though futile gesture.” The Little House was made soon thereafter and got itself a Caldecott Medal in 1943, so there you go.
- Here's a link to the Children's Books Made Horrific take on Goodnight Moon (you'll see why we didn't read it aloud). http://the-toast.net/2015/05/14/childrens-stories-made-horrific-goodnight-moon/
- By the way, want to hear some proof that children's books have a weird relationship to cow udders? Check out this story that got cut out of Wild Things: Acts of Mischief in Children's Literature.
http://wildthings.blaine.org/?p=486
- Controversy #1: http://www.joshuaprager.com/articles/runaway-money/
- Controversy #2: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/17/books/17moon.html?_r=2
- If you would like to read the Ugly Volvo piece of reader's theater just go to All My Issues with the Goodnight Moon Bedroom. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/04/opinion/04karbo.html?ex=1291352400&en=7a28d82e45f39af8&ei=5088
- Grown-Up Things We Like: Kate's volunteer event was The Creative Chicago Reuse Exchange. Feel free to volunteer yourself. https://www.creativechirx.org/
- You can reach us at FuseKate8@gmail.com.
You can find full show notes for this episode here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/08/28/new-fuse-8-n-kate-episode-goodnight-moon-by-margaret-wise-brown/Things get off to a bang when Kate immediately th…Things get off to a bang when Kate immediately throws Betsy off by calling the entire Harry Potter series "YA". After that things get weird. Sure, Goodnight Moon is one of the best known, best loved, most-received-at-baby-showers picture book classics of all time, but does it deserve the acclaim? The sisters discuss its sordid controversies, the book's forgotten ghost, and the danger of anatomically correct udders.
Show Notes:
- Proof of the existence of a pinhole camera saltine cracker. http://www.floridatoday.com/story/tech/science/space/2017/08/17/solar-eclipse-glasses-cracker-slotted-spoon/575694001/
- The two podcasts that gave us shout outs? First up is The Secrets of Story podcast, created by my very own Matt Bird and his partner-in-crime, YA author and 90-Second Newbery's papa, James Kennedy. https://soundcloud.com/matt-bird-35537727
- The other is the Books Between podcast. Hat tip to Corrina Allen for interviewing me recently. There is a really nice fart noise contest at the end of my episode that I highly recommend. http://www.allthewonders.com/podcasts/betsy-bird-books-between-episode-32/
The link to Goodnight Moon on my Top 100 Picture Book Poll. http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/06/23/top-100-picture-books-4-goodnight-moon-by-margaret-wise-brown-illustrated-by-clement-moore/
- Answer to The Little House : What book did Virginia Lee Burton create that was ahead of its time? Just prior to writing The Little House, Burton actually attempted to write a book that can only be described as far and away ahead of her time. In the late 30s, early 40s she noticed that her nine-year-old son loved his comic books. The answer? Calico the Wonder Horse; or, The Saga of Stewy Slinker was an honest-to-goodness picture book in a comic-book format. As Minders of Make-Believe puts it, the book was a “gallant though futile gesture.” The Little House was made soon thereafter and got itself a Caldecott Medal in 1943, so there you go.
- Here's a link to the Children's Books Made Horrific take on Goodnight Moon (you'll see why we didn't read it aloud). http://the-toast.net/2015/05/14/childrens-stories-made-horrific-goodnight-moon/
- By the way, want to hear some proof that children's books have a weird relationship to cow udders? Check out this story that got cut out of Wild Things: Acts of Mischief in Children's Literature.
http://wildthings.blaine.org/?p=486
- Controversy #1: http://www.joshuaprager.com/articles/runaway-money/
- Controversy #2: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/17/books/17moon.html?_r=2
- If you would like to read the Ugly Volvo piece of reader's theater just go to All My Issues with the Goodnight Moon Bedroom. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/04/opinion/04karbo.html?ex=1291352400&en=7a28d82e45f39af8&ei=5088
- Grown-Up Things We Like: Kate's volunteer event was The Creative Chicago Reuse Exchange. Feel free to volunteer yourself. https://www.creativechirx.org/
- You can reach us at FuseKate8@gmail.com.
You can find full show notes for this episode here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/08/28/new-fuse-8-n-kate-episode-goodnight-moon-by-margaret-wise-brown/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/338769173Episode 8 - The Little HouseMon, 21 Aug 2017 01:58:46 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-8-the-little-house
00:43:22Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoBetsy attempts to present Kate with a Caldecott Award winning classic (shiny GOLD sticker and all)illustrated by a woman and finds the task shockingly difficult. Meanwhile Kate delves deep into an Irish brogue, Betsy entirely misses an image of nudity, and they both agree that if you're going to have a sun, have a sassy one.
Show Notes:
- Here's the list of all the Caldecott Award winners. http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/caldecottmedal/caldecottwinners/caldecottmedal
If you can find a really super famous one on there that was illustrated by a woman, tell us what it is (at FuseKate8@gmail.com). The kind that the average person on the street would know.
- Here's what the Caldecott Award looks like. Three geese and all: http://www.thesilverpen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Caldecott-Medal.jpg
- Here's the music video Kate and Betsy made for the song Randolph Caldecott in 2009: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMIjWQQavcY
- For more information on Big Machines: The Story of Virginia Lee Burton by Sherri Duskey Rinker, ill. John Rocco book (which contains plenty of daisies, and zero sassy suns) go here: http://100scopenotes.com/2017/01/09/exclusive-cover-reveal-big-machines-the-story-of-virgina-lee-burton/
- Here's the Disney short film they made based on the book. Sterling Holloway and all: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y881yjtFluQ
- Kate's 12-point To Do List includes the following:
1. Volunteer
2. Give one gift
3. Read a book
4. Workout
5. Take a class
6. Try one new food
7. Do something scary
8. Go to one new place
9. Call or go out with old friend
10. Meditate/go to (church, temple, etc.)
11. Cook one new recipe
12. Save $__.00 at least
- The New York Times article on the death of June Foray: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/27/arts/television/june-foray-prolific-voice-of-rocky-the-flying-squirrel-dies-at-99.html
- Peter Sellers doing Beatles songs sounds interesting, yes? Here are a few examples of what it was Betsy was talking about:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEzJTMf1ZF8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLEMncv140s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAnb1fS1bF0
For complete show notes go to: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/08/21/new-fuse-8-n-kate-episode-the-little-house-by-virginia-lee-burton/
Be sure to follow us on iTunes and rate our podcast. Direct all questions and inquiries to Fuse8Kate@gmail.com.Betsy attempts to present Kate with a Caldecott A…Betsy attempts to present Kate with a Caldecott Award winning classic (shiny GOLD sticker and all)illustrated by a woman and finds the task shockingly difficult. Meanwhile Kate delves deep into an Irish brogue, Betsy entirely misses an image of nudity, and they both agree that if you're going to have a sun, have a sassy one.
Show Notes:
- Here's the list of all the Caldecott Award winners. http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/caldecottmedal/caldecottwinners/caldecottmedal
If you can find a really super famous one on there that was illustrated by a woman, tell us what it is (at FuseKate8@gmail.com). The kind that the average person on the street would know.
- Here's what the Caldecott Award looks like. Three geese and all: http://www.thesilverpen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Caldecott-Medal.jpg
- Here's the music video Kate and Betsy made for the song Randolph Caldecott in 2009: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMIjWQQavcY
- For more information on Big Machines: The Story of Virginia Lee Burton by Sherri Duskey Rinker, ill. John Rocco book (which contains plenty of daisies, and zero sassy suns) go here: http://100scopenotes.com/2017/01/09/exclusive-cover-reveal-big-machines-the-story-of-virgina-lee-burton/
- Here's the Disney short film they made based on the book. Sterling Holloway and all: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y881yjtFluQ
- Kate's 12-point To Do List includes the following:
1. Volunteer
2. Give one gift
3. Read a book
4. Workout
5. Take a class
6. Try one new food
7. Do something scary
8. Go to one new place
9. Call or go out with old friend
10. Meditate/go to (church, temple, etc.)
11. Cook one new recipe
12. Save $__.00 at least
- The New York Times article on the death of June Foray: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/27/arts/television/june-foray-prolific-voice-of-rocky-the-flying-squirrel-dies-at-99.html
- Peter Sellers doing Beatles songs sounds interesting, yes? Here are a few examples of what it was Betsy was talking about:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEzJTMf1ZF8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLEMncv140s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAnb1fS1bF0
For complete show notes go to: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/08/21/new-fuse-8-n-kate-episode-the-little-house-by-virginia-lee-burton/
Be sure to follow us on iTunes and rate our podcast. Direct all questions and inquiries to Fuse8Kate@gmail.com.tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/337777436Episode 7 - Are You My Mother?Mon, 14 Aug 2017 03:45:34 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-7-are-you-my-mother
00:44:03Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoLoad up on the Kleenex and stuff some hankies up your sleeve. We wrench out the tears (and the post-apocalyptic hellscape conspiracy theories) with P.D. Eastman's classic text. In the course of things Betsy and Kate also take time to consider chicken's eyelashes, great big rubber stamps, and Betsy manages to work in at least one more reference to holograms (yesss!).
Show Notes In Brief:
- In terms of feedback from Monica Edinger, please check out her blog post John Steptoe's Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters. Extra Bonus: A member of the Caldecott committee that awarded Steptoe the Honor makes a comment at the end! https://medinger.wordpress.com/2017/08/09/john-steptoes-mufaros-beautiful-daughters/
- Interested in reading the post on my Top 100 Picture Books Poll from 2012? Here's the one I did for Are You My Mother? http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/05/29/top-100-picture-books-45-are-you-my-mother-by-p-d-eastman/
Make sure you read the entire text of the Mallory Ortberg Are You My Mother? rendered horrific here. http://the-toast.net/2013/11/27/mother/
God, I love Robin Sparkles (though I still think she peaked with "Sandcastles in the Sand"): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IY_bhVSGKEg
- Not sure if my description of The Big Sick proved enticing enough? Then read the New Yorker piece Kumail Nanjiani's Culture-Clash Comedy. http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/05/08/kumail-nanjianis-culture-clash-comedy
- And finally, next time you're in Cleveland, that Christmas Story House really does exist. http://www.achristmasstoryhouse.com/
Full Show Notes can be found at http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/08/14/new-fuse-8-n-kate-episode-are-you-my-mother-by-p-d-eastmanLoad up on the Kleenex and stuff some hankies up …Load up on the Kleenex and stuff some hankies up your sleeve. We wrench out the tears (and the post-apocalyptic hellscape conspiracy theories) with P.D. Eastman's classic text. In the course of things Betsy and Kate also take time to consider chicken's eyelashes, great big rubber stamps, and Betsy manages to work in at least one more reference to holograms (yesss!).
Show Notes In Brief:
- In terms of feedback from Monica Edinger, please check out her blog post John Steptoe's Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters. Extra Bonus: A member of the Caldecott committee that awarded Steptoe the Honor makes a comment at the end! https://medinger.wordpress.com/2017/08/09/john-steptoes-mufaros-beautiful-daughters/
- Interested in reading the post on my Top 100 Picture Books Poll from 2012? Here's the one I did for Are You My Mother? http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/05/29/top-100-picture-books-45-are-you-my-mother-by-p-d-eastman/
Make sure you read the entire text of the Mallory Ortberg Are You My Mother? rendered horrific here. http://the-toast.net/2013/11/27/mother/
God, I love Robin Sparkles (though I still think she peaked with "Sandcastles in the Sand"): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IY_bhVSGKEg
- Not sure if my description of The Big Sick proved enticing enough? Then read the New Yorker piece Kumail Nanjiani's Culture-Clash Comedy. http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/05/08/kumail-nanjianis-culture-clash-comedy
- And finally, next time you're in Cleveland, that Christmas Story House really does exist. http://www.achristmasstoryhouse.com/
Full Show Notes can be found at http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/08/14/new-fuse-8-n-kate-episode-are-you-my-mother-by-p-d-eastmantag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/336795093Episode 6 - Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters- An African Tale - 8:6:17, 10.49 PMMon, 07 Aug 2017 04:52:21 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-6-mufaros-beautiful-daughters-an-african-tale-8617-1049-pm
00:39:49Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoLest you start believing that all children's book classics were penned by white people, Kate and Betsy delve deep into one of John Steptoe's best works. They consider some of the more problematic messages of the book today, its groundbreaking nature, the history of Steptoe, the most recent Caldecott Award winner (and its connection), and a lot more.
And yes. Kate has some weird affection for the last page of every book she sees. Every. Single. One.
Full show notes for this episode can be found here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/08/08/new-fuse-8-n-kate-episode-mufaros-beautiful-daughters-by-john-steptoe/Lest you start believing that all children's book…Lest you start believing that all children's book classics were penned by white people, Kate and Betsy delve deep into one of John Steptoe's best works. They consider some of the more problematic messages of the book today, its groundbreaking nature, the history of Steptoe, the most recent Caldecott Award winner (and its connection), and a lot more.
And yes. Kate has some weird affection for the last page of every book she sees. Every. Single. One.
Full show notes for this episode can be found here: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2017/08/08/new-fuse-8-n-kate-episode-mufaros-beautiful-daughters-by-john-steptoe/tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/335590081Episode 5 - Rainbow FishMon, 31 Jul 2017 03:20:52 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-5-rainbow-fish
00:39:17Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoIt has taken five books but at long last Kate and Betsy disagree on a book. Who knew it would be the shiniest one in the sea? Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister, the book that every American schoolchild knows by heart, is dredged up out of the deep for a fine conversation about Shark Week, holograms, and why sharing is caring.It has taken five books but at long last Kate and…It has taken five books but at long last Kate and Betsy disagree on a book. Who knew it would be the shiniest one in the sea? Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister, the book that every American schoolchild knows by heart, is dredged up out of the deep for a fine conversation about Shark Week, holograms, and why sharing is caring.tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/334518388Episode 4 - The Very Hungry CaterpillarMon, 24 Jul 2017 02:29:14 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-4-the-very-hungry-caterpillar
00:37:12Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoBetsy brings in a picture book classic that she deems a "perfect ten". Meanwhile Kate attempts to poison her sibling with a Chicago specialty, and the thunder is, as ever, perfectly timed.Betsy brings in a picture book classic that she d…Betsy brings in a picture book classic that she deems a "perfect ten". Meanwhile Kate attempts to poison her sibling with a Chicago specialty, and the thunder is, as ever, perfectly timed.tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/333516708Episode 3 - In the Night KitchenMon, 17 Jul 2017 03:45:29 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-3-in-the-night-kitchen
00:46:29Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoIn this episode, Betsy tries as hard as she can to find a book that she and Kate can safely disagree on. Things don't go according to plan, though there are plenty of instances of the word "Penis!" being yelled at inopportune moments.
Score Thus Far:
Betsy: 0
Kate: 0
Maurice Sendak: 1In this episode, Betsy tries as hard as she can t…In this episode, Betsy tries as hard as she can to find a book that she and Kate can safely disagree on. Things don't go according to plan, though there are plenty of instances of the word "Penis!" being yelled at inopportune moments.
Score Thus Far:
Betsy: 0
Kate: 0
Maurice Sendak: 1tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/330297581Episode 2 - Heather Has Two MommiesTue, 27 Jun 2017 04:34:55 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-2-heather-has-two-mommies
00:41:10Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoIn celebration of Pride Month, Kate and Betsy tackle the most famous same-sex picture book of all time. How has Heather fared over the years? Does it stand up? Has it become horrendously dated? The sisters hash it out, get a little surprised, and end up drinking rainbow-colored vodka (this is true).In celebration of Pride Month, Kate and Betsy tac…In celebration of Pride Month, Kate and Betsy tackle the most famous same-sex picture book of all time. How has Heather fared over the years? Does it stand up? Has it become horrendously dated? The sisters hash it out, get a little surprised, and end up drinking rainbow-colored vodka (this is true).tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/328227749Episode 1 - Tikki Tikki TemboThu, 15 Jun 2017 16:55:40 +0000https://soundcloud.com/user-745466600/episode-1-tikki-tikki-tembo
00:32:18Betsy Bird and Kate RamseynoIs Tikki Tikki Tembo the horribly offensive book it seems to be, or a classic worthy of love and adulation? For this first episode Betsy and Kate take a close, very very close, look at Arlene Mosel and Blair Lent's best known work.Is Tikki Tikki Tembo the horribly offensive book …Is Tikki Tikki Tembo the horribly offensive book it seems to be, or a classic worthy of love and adulation? For this first episode Betsy and Kate take a close, very very close, look at Arlene Mosel and Blair Lent's best known work.